Mozart, WA :: The Magic Flute

Musicians Publications presents W.A. Mozart s The Magic Flute arranged for woodwind quintet by Bill Holcombe.

The Magic Flute was the greatest operatic success of Mozart s career. As he lay dying on the night of December 4-5, 1791, he had the consolation of knowing that an enthusiastic audience composed of all strata of Viennese society, from elegantly dressed nobles to tradesmen and their families, was at that very moment filling Emanuel Schikaneder s popular Theater auf der Wieden to laugh at the bird catcher Papageno s slapstick antics and marvel at the Queen of the Night s sky-scraping coloratura (sung by Mozart s sister-in-law, the soprano Josefa Hofer). It is reported that in his final delirium the composer believed he was actually at the performance, as he hummed Papageno s opening song to himself. Almost his last words to his wife were: Listen! Hofer is taking her top F. Now, how strongly she takes and holds the B-flat. Hort! hort! hort! der Mutter Schwur! (Hear, hear, hear! The mother s curse!).

A few words about some of Flute s most remarkable numbers, beginning with the Overture, arguably Mozart s greatest. In the Masonic key of E-flat Major, it begins with three imposing fanfare chords that immediately command our attention; these chords probably represent the three opening knocks of a Masonic rite. They are followed by a merry fugue in which a sparkling little tune makes many entrances in the various instruments. With this music, Mozart immediately captures both the comedy and the high ethical themes of his hybrid work.

- Janet E. Bedell, 2019