On today's date in 1829, Felix Mendelssohn arranged and conducted a performance in Berlin of Bach's St Matthew Passion. The orchestra and choir were provided by the Berlin Singakademie. The success of this performance (the first since Bach's death in 1750) was an important element in the revival of J.S. Bach's music in Germany and, eventually, throughout Europe. It earned Mendelssohn widespread acclaim at the age of twenty. It also led to one of the very few references which Mendelssohn ever made to his origins: 'To think that it took an actor and a Jew's son (Judensohn) to revive the greatest Christian music for the world!'
James Morton
4 comments:
This is the kind of post that I find bizarre...
What is the message that you are trying to convey?
Also, you do realize that the Mendelssohn's converted to Christianity early on, right? (and mocked Christianity also)
No real message -- I just found it interesting that Bach, such an amazing composer, was ignored after his death
Bach was not well know has a composer during his lifetime either. This is not surprising as it seems the faith of many great musicians.
Ernest Bloch's "Schelomo" is a piece of music that I enjoy - thank g-d cellists enjoy playing it and has kept it in the public eye....
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