Evening star., 1925-04-26
When Bach Wrote to the King

4 APROPoS of the wonderful treat
n which the music lovers of Wash
ington enjoyed when the Bach Mass
in Minor was sung here by the
Bethlehem Choir of Pennsylvania is
little story which may now be of much
interest to music lovers. Many do not
know that although the mass was
written by Bach in 1888 he never
heard it sung in its entirety. Only the
"Kyrie" and Gloria" had been sung
for him. and he had heard the Sane
tus'' at Christmas time.
The Bach Mass in B Minor" the
most wonderful of all masses, was
written during the reign of King Fred
erick August of SaXony. Bach had
suffered much under the petty criti-
cisms of his community, whose chill
dren he taught choir music in the
Thomas School. He sometimes felt if
he could only have a court honor or
decree that his oppressors would ap-
preciate his efforts more; SO, out of
the soul of suffering and desire, he
wrote "Kyrie Eleison" and Gloria in
Excelsis," and dedicated them to the
new Elector or King, sending them
with a letter. 1t has become fa-
nous, as it throws light upon Bach's
state of mind, and it is worthy of re-
printing as a memory of the time,
d.,
July 27 in Dresden, the request, as fol-
lows:
"IIlustrious Elector, Gracious Mas
ter: To Your Royal Highness I offer.
in deepest devotion, this small fruit of
the knowledge to which l have attain
cd in music, with the humble prayer
that you will look upon it, not accord
ing to the poor composition, but with
YOUR world-renowned clemency, and
IL dow vr1TY
powerful protection. / have for some
years had the direction of the music
in the two chief churches of Leitsic-
but have suffered several disagreeable
things, and my income has been re-
duced, though I am blameleSs; but
these troubles will be easily overcome
if Your Highness would grant me the
favor of a decree after conference with
YOUR Court Orchestra-the gracious
granting of my humble prayer would
bind me to everlasting honor you, and
| offer myself to do anything with
obedience that Your Royal Highness
may require of me in the way of COM
posing church or orchestral music,
and to give unwearied industry, and
TO dedicate my whole strength to your
service with most increasing faithful
ness. I remain, Your Royal Highness,
your most obedient servant,
Three years from the time this was
delivered he received the title of Com
poser to the Saxon Court. The mass
was finished before the end of 1898,
but It is not thought that he ever pre-
sented the "Credo" to the King. This
mass has never been given as a
church service.
This Bach Choir is composed of sing
ers who have spent many years, since
1900, in developing Bach's thought.
We travel to Oberammergau once in
10 years to see depicted the greatest
story that ever was written. We may
do well to travel to Bethlehem, Pa, in
our own country, to hear depicted the
greatest song of this picture that was
ever written. The audience came to
hear what Is termed the most gigantic
mass ever written, on account of its
serious technical nature. 1t has never
been given in it's complete form only
In Bethlehem. Those who were fortu
nate enough to hear the rendition
realized that, while Bach has borrowed
some portions Ia the B minor from