St Matthew Passion
Sir, — The idea of Mendelssohn discovering “a large stockpile of Bach’s manuscripts” ihcluding that of the St Matthew Passion is an attractive one, and makes for a good headline (“The Press,” April 11). However, it is quite wrong. Mendelssohn’s copy of the St Matthew Passion was given him by his teacher, Zelter, who had long had an admiration for Bach’s music, and who had organised with a group of other musicians and friends, some private study and performance of ma'ny of Bach’s works, including the St Matthew Passion. In his letters, Mendelssohn writes of attendance at such a meeting, and of his innovatory idea of a public performance of the work. The ecstatic reaction by the public of 1829 and the necessary repeat performances, made for the popular myth of the “longlost masterpiece.” A masterpiece, yes: long-lost; no. — Yours, etc., HEATH LEES. April 11, 1979. i
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Press, 16 April 1979, Page 12
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149St Matthew Passion Press, 16 April 1979, Page 12
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