2.—THE BACH REVIVAL.
One of Mendelssohn's ardent friends in his youthful days was Edward Devrient, a thorough musician and an excellent singer. These friends used to delve into the music of "Old Bach" and revel in the learning displayed there. One day they resolved to take up the old cantor's "Passion Music," which had not been heard for a hundred years and which was, even to such good musicians as they, known by name only.
They became enchanted with the beauties of this lofty masterpiece, and Devrient enthusiastically declared it ought to be given in public. Mendelssohn at first ridiculed the suggestion, saying the public would not give it a cordial reception and that it was sure to be a failure. But after talking it over, Mendelssohn became as enthusiastic on the subject as was his friend. So the two young fellows—for Mendelssohn was then only eighteen—went to see Zelter, Mendelssohn's teacher, the most influential musician in Berlin.
After considerable argument, they convinced Zelter of the feasibility of their plan, and, securing his promise of co-operation, went home to begin the arduous labors that such a performance entails on manager and conductor. They had to secure the soloists, the double chorus, and the double orchestra demanded by the score. Devrient himself sang the part allotted to "Christ," and Mendelssohn conducted.
It is needless to say that the performance (given in 1829) was a success. A repetition was demanded; and not Berlin alone, but the whole musical world began to realize that in Sebastian Bach's great works there was a mine of wealth that would be unexhausted for ages. And it was to these young men, Mendelssohn especially, that we owe our knowledge and appreciation of the Leipzig cantor's masterwork of sacred music.
But Mendelssohn did not stop with this. Through his efforts there was erected a fine monument to Bach's memory, which perpetuates the face and figure of this fountain head of modern music. It was erected in 1842, in front of the "Thomas Schule" in which Bach taught, and facing the windows of his study.