Page:Anecdotes of Great Musicians.djvu/22

10 On his return to France, Charlemagne took with him, at his request and by the appointment of Pope Adrian, two singers learned in the true ecclesiastical mode. He stationed one at Metz and the other at Soissons. The Pope also sent choral books which had been written by Gregory, so that these teachers, who had themselves studied under him, could correct the French books. The King ordered all singing masters in the kingdom to be taught by these Roman monks and to conform their books and teaching to the Gregorian antiphonal.  

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. 