Main content
Sorry, this episode is not currently available

Donald Macleod investigates the influence of freemasonry on Mozart's music in The Magic Flute and the cantata Die Maurerfreude (The Mason's Joy).

Mozart was an ardent freemason, as were several of his friends. Freemasonry suited his philosophical ideals, his liberal outlook and his sociable nature. Donald Macleod investigates the influence of freemasonry on Mozart's music in The Magic Flute and the cantata Die Maurerfreude (The Mason's Joy). Haydn, a fellow freemason, was the inspiration for a set of six string quartets, including The Dissonance, K465.

Playlist:

Der Holle Rache kocht in meinem Herzen (Die Zauberflote)
Queen of the Night ...... Natalie Dessay (soprano)
Les Arts Florissants
William Christie (director)
Erato 0630-12705-2
CD2 Track 6

Die Zauberflote (Sc 29)
Papageno ...... Anton Scharinger (baritone)
Papagena ...... Linda Kitchen (soprano)
Monostatos ...... Steven Cole (tenor)
Three Ladies ...... Anna-Maria Panzarella, Doris Lamprecht, Delphine Haidan (sopranos and mezzo)
Sarastro ...... Reinhard Hagen (bass)
Les Arts Florissants
William Christie (director)
Erato 0630-12705-2
CD2 tracks 21 to 24

Die Maurerfreude
Werner Krenn (tenor)
Edinburgh Festival Chorus
London Symphony Orchestra
Istvan Kertsz (conductor)
Decca 425 722-2
CD1 track 5

String Quartet in C, K465 (Dissonance)
Budapest String Quartet
Sony Classical SM2K 47219
CD2 tracks 9-12

1 hour

Last on

Thu 6 Dec 2007 20:45

Broadcasts

  • Thu 6 Dec 2007 12:00
  • Thu 6 Dec 2007 20:45

Vaughan Williams Today

Vaughan Williams Today

Programmes, concerts and features celebrating Vaughan Williams's 150th anniversary.

Beethoven Unleashed – the box set

Beethoven Unleashed – the box set

The complete set of Radio 3 Beethoven Unleashed podcasts, with Donald Macleod.

What was really wrong with Beethoven?

What was really wrong with Beethoven?

Georgia Mann and neurosurgeon Henry Marsh examine the composer's numerous health problems

Composers A to Z

Composers A to Z

Visit the extensive audio archive of Radio 3 programmes about Composers and their works.

Who knew? Five eye-opening stories from Composer of the Week

Who knew? Five eye-opening stories from Composer of the Week

The production team reflects on 5 of Donald Macleod’s best stories from the last 20 years

Five reasons why we love Parry's Jerusalem

What is the strange power of Jerusalem which makes strong men weep?

A man out of time – why Parry's music and ideas were at odds with his image...

The composer of Jerusalem was very far from the conservative figure his image suggests.

Composer Help Page

Find resources and contacts for composers from within the classical music industry.