In this lesson, we will discuss the second great moment in art history: Mendelssohn’s serendipitous encounter with exquisite sheet music while buying pork.
More than a decade ago, the Germans conducted a poll to vote for the greatest figures in German history. The now universally recognized “Father of Western Music,” Bach, ranked third. Einstein took first place, while Marx came in second.
Although Bach is now well-known as the Father of Western Music, having composed over a thousand works that represent the pinnacle of various instruments, many familiar pieces are attributed to him. For instance, one notable work is the “Sarabande” from Bach’s “Orchestral Suite No. 2.”
Despite his greatness and excellence, when Bach passed away, very few people knew of him, and he did not hold the supreme status he enjoys today. Why is that?
Why Was Bach Forgotten After His Death?
- Bach’s Works Were Complex and Beyond the Appreciation of Ordinary People at the Time
Even now, listening to Bach’s music is not something one can do in a relaxed, carefree, or joyful state. Much of Bach’s music is polyphonic, which means it consists of multiple interwoven melodic lines. This requires intense focus and can be mentally taxing, making the overall experience quite complex. Listening to Bach’s music isn’t particularly entertaining; it demands our full attention and concentration.
- The Low Status of Composers During Bach’s Time
Another reason is that during Bach’s era, composers primarily earned a living by being employed to write music for others. Bach was a court musician, serving the nobility, and we might consider him an ancient German civil servant.
By the time of Beethoven and Mozart, the idea of the great independent artist had emerged. The difference in perception between being employed by nobility and being an independent artist was significant.
For example, when Beethoven died, it was seen as a monumental loss of a great musical master, causing worldwide mourning. In contrast, Bach’s death would have been regarded merely as the passing of an old court musician—nothing more.
Thus, during Bach’s time, musicians did not receive the same level of recognition that composers like Beethoven and Mozart would later enjoy. This contributed to Bach’s lack of fame after his death.
Although he achieved remarkable artistic accomplishments, his relative obscurity among the general public, combined with the complexity of his music, led to him being quickly forgotten.
Mendelssohn, Known as the “German Mozart”
It wasn’t until 80 years after Bach’s death that Mendelssohn’s historic visit to a butcher shop brought Bach’s greatness to widespread attention. Mendelssohn’s compositions, such as his violin concerto, are quite famous.
Born in 1809, Mendelssohn was a German Jew who came 120 years after Bach. He demonstrated extraordinary musical talent from a very young age and was regarded as a child prodigy, earning the nickname “the German Mozart.”
Mendelssohn came from a wealthy family, and his father cultivated his various talents from an early age. Not only was he an excellent composer, but he also excelled in painting and literature, showcasing his versatility.
Besides his accomplishments in composition, Mendelssohn’s most significant achievement was reviving Bach’s music. Without Mendelssohn’s efforts, it is possible that we might not even know of Bach, who is regarded as the great father of Western music today.
Mendelssohn, the “Talent Scout,” Revives Bach’s Music
- The Fateful Encounter with the St. Matthew Passion
The story of how Mendelssohn revived Bach’s music begins with an amusing anecdote: one day, while accompanying his wife to the market, Mendelssohn, who knew Germans loved sausages and pork knuckles, went with her to a butcher shop to buy some sausages.
Upon returning home, he suddenly discovered that the butcher had wrapped his sausages in used paper that turned out to be exquisitely crafted musical scores. Astonished, he rushed back to the butcher shop and bought all the wrapping paper. When he pieced them together, he found a great work—Bach’s St. Matthew Passion.
The St. Matthew Passion is an extraordinary piece that involves an orchestra, choir, vocalists, and soloists, totaling about 400 performers. It takes nearly three hours to perform and is considered one of Bach’s greatest religious works.
- Bach Was a Devout Christian, and Much of His Music Relates to Religion
The Bible contains four Gospels: Matthew, Mark, John, and Luke. These Gospels tell the story of Jesus from the perspectives of these four saints. Research indicates that Bach wrote passion music for all four Gospels, but only the St. Matthew Passion has survived intact; the others have been lost, which is truly unfortunate.
Let’s listen to a well-known duet from the St. Matthew Passion, featuring violin and soprano, titled “Lord, Have Mercy on Me!”
- Mendelssohn Conducts the Perfect Premiere of the St. Matthew Passion
Bach’s music has a strong religious sense, and upon discovering this work, Mendelssohn quickly organized the premiere of the St. Matthew Passion. At the time, Mendelssohn was only 20 years old and conducted the performance flawlessly, marking an important revival of Bach’s legacy.
Since this performance, public interest in Bach has greatly increased, leading to the establishment of the “Bach Society,” dedicated to exploring his works, and his significance has been restored to its current level of recognition.
Looking back, it’s unclear whether the story of Mendelssohn at the butcher shop is entirely true. After all, he was the son of a banker, and it’s unlikely that someone from such a wealthy family would personally go to buy meat, as servants typically handled such tasks.
Regardless of its truth, this story highlights the rarity of a discerning patron in the arts. Even the most exceptional works may go unnoticed without someone with the vision to discover and promote them.
