Masonic music

Music used in connection with the ritual and social functions of freemasons. Hymn singing, while never an integral part of masonic rites, was frequently included at meetings, and masonic hymnals and cantatas were published in considerable members from the 1730s onwards. Haydn, Mozart, Loewe, Spohr, Liszt and Puccini are among composers who became freemasons; Wagner planned to join.

Mozart's masonic music is of particular importance. He became a mason in 1784, but as early as 1773 wrote music for Baron von Gebler's masonic play Thamos, König in Ägypten. He took part in musical performances at his lodge, and composed for various Viennese lodges, notably cantatas, wind works and a piece of funeral music. Musical reflections of masonic imagery are present in Die Zauberflöte.