American Choral Review Archive

Between 1827 and 1832, a period encompassing the end of...

Between 1827 and 1832, a period encompassing the end of his student days in Berlin and the years of travel preceding his first position at Dusseldorf, Mendelssohn composed a substantial though little-known series of sacred cantatas, several of them based upon Lutheran chorales. Only two, Aus tiefer Noth and Mitten wir im Leben sind, did he judge worthy enough for release; they eventually appeared as part of the Kirchenmusik, Op. 23, of 1830. No fewer than eight others were withdrawn by Mendelssohn; indeed, only very recently have they begun to appear in print.

The name of Arthur Mendel is associated today with the...

The name of Arthur Mendel is associated today with the establishment of modern Bach research in this country. An entire generation of young Bach scholars has been trained in his seminars at Princeton University, and we are no longer aware of the fact that he began his distinguished career as choral conductor - the choral conductor who introduced the concept of authentic performance of Bach's choral music to New York audiences. With his Cantata Singers he presented numerous programs consisting entirely of Bach cantatas, programs that were a novelty in the concert life of the 1930's and 1940's and that soon gathered a devoted following.
These personal recollections reflect the modest origins of a new American choral practice that in turn prompted a decisive share in modern international Bach scholarship.

Letter to the membership regarding "The Bach Year in America:...

Letter to the membership regarding "The Bach Year in America: A Proposed Documentation."