Mozart - Week 2

Mozart’s Influences

Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart is known very well for his musical compositions. Yet, what most of his listeners do not learn about are the influences that shaped and molded his works. Mozart’s music was affected by many sources in his life, including his membership in the Freemasons and his father, Leopold Mozart.

Freemasonry throughout history has always seemed to have an infamous reputation.  Freemasons have always had criticizers of all different backgrounds. However, there have been many famous and influential men who have been freemasons.  If people look upon how America was built and who built it, one might be surprised to discover that the founding fathers were mostly all freemasons.  One man that stands out in the music history of the world is Mozart, who in fact was a freemason.  Mozart wholeheartedly participated in the freemason world.  As many sources say, he absolutely loved being a part of the brotherhood.  Mozart respected and was passionate about the “Masonic ideals of humaneness, reasonableness, and equality” (Gay).  The appeal of this for Mozart could be based in numerous different theories.  Such as some speculations that he only joined for the connections it gave him as a composer, other speculate that he did it because it was good for his image and good for ‘business’ (Gay).  Another possible speculation is more psychological in that Mozart wanted to be a part of an important organization and participate in something bigger than himself.  As a freemason, he was accepted first as an apprentice and quickly climbed to the rank of Master Mason for his craft, music.  By becoming a freemason and eventually a master it could possibly satisfy a need that he had because of his childhood.  Mozart's father was always pushing him to be a better musician, to uphold the honor of the family, and to bring in income from his talents.  We also know that Mozart craved attention and praise, especially as a child.  Being a member of the Masons allowed him to receive the recognition and praise he always wanted, and he was doing the family proud, specifically his father.  

Leopold Mozart, Wolfgang Mozart’s father, was a large influence in Mozart’s life and compositions. Mozart’s very first music lessons came from Leopold. Yet, Mozart soon started transcribing other composers work, analyzing it, and learning new methods for composing. Mozart learned the art of counterpoint in this fashion. Mozart also took, “…lessons in polyphony…from Giovanni Battista Martini…” (Gay 67). Mozart’s Symphony No. 41, “Jupiter,” is an example of his use of counterpoint. In the fourth section, he uses five motifs at the same time, creating a polyphonic effect.

https://youtu.be/zK5295yEQMQ?t=41m16s

Sometimes, Leopold’s letters to Mozart seem to supress Mozart’s creative genius. Once, Leopold said to Mozart, “You know that there are 100 ignoramuses against 10 true connoisseurs – so don’t forget the so-called poplar which also titillates the long ears” (Gay 68). In a practical sense, what Leopold says is true. In order to appeal to a larger audience and make more money, Mozart should have wrote simpler pieces to appeal to common music listeners. Yet, one can see the jealousy that Leopold must have felt with such a successful son. Even though Leopold was jealous, Mozart still had a sense of respect for his father. Leopold continued to affect Mozart even after his death. It is widely believed that there are autobiographical elements to Mozart’s famous opera Don Giovanni. Even though Leopold highly influenced Mozart, all of his life, Leopold strove to be as successful of a musician as his son. There is one bit of infamy that Leopold has: “His textbook of 1756 on the art of violin playing” (Gay 3-4). Yet, he will forever be known in history as Mozart’s father.

This portrait of Leopold Mozart was featured in his textbook.

Sierra Marsh wrote about Mozart’s involvement with the Freemasons. Logan Kropp wrote about Leopold Mozart’s influence on his son.

Sources

Gay, Peter. Mozart: A Life. New York: Lipper/Viking Book, 1999. Print.

Judd, Timothy. "Mozart’s “Jupiter” Symphony: An Explosion of Counterpoint." Timothy Judd, Suzuki Violin Lessons. Timothy Judd, Suzuki Violin Lessons, 23 June 2014. Web. 15 Nov. 2015.

Landon, Howard.  Mozart, the Golden Years, 1781-1791. Schirmer Books, New York, 1989. Pg. 122-123. Print.