Mozart is undoubtedly the most well known composer to have been a freemason, but many others have been devoted to “the Craft” including Boyce, Haydn, Liszt and even Irving Berlin. Sibelius’s involvement dates from early 1922, but it was not until 1927 that his Masonic music appeared in its
first published form. 

Consisting of processionals, hymns and songs, these short pieces are a mixture of the solemnity and brotherly love that would have been celebrated in meetings of the lodge. Within the limitations of this gebrauchmusik Sibelius fashions some catchy tunes, notably the song Whosoever hath a love and the Ode to Fraternity. There is also an imposing funeral march and an arrangement of the Finlandia hymn for male chorus.

The music is presented first in its original form with organ accompaniment. A shorter selection also appears in an orchestral arrangement by Jaakko Kuusisto. His masterly way with these scores lifts the music into another realm, in particular the funeral march, which takes on an imposing grandeur reminiscent of the composer’s mature symphonic style. The Lahti Symphony plays with insight and commitment. Mika Pohjonen’s light, well-rounded tenor serves the orchestral version well, while Hannu Jurmu’s instrument sounds a little forced in the original score. A glimpse into the life of one of music’s more private souls.