The disciples are also represented by a double chorus, as are the Christian congregation; and the music of the various double choruses is in keeping with sentiments which might be supposed to actuate the singers. The arias which fill the “pauses” suggested by Deyling are allotted to an alto, soprano, tenor, or bass, and are accompanied, in addition to the organ, by two flutes, or two oboi d’amore, or oboi da caccia, or by a viola da gamba, or by a violin solo with string band.
After Bach’s death this magnificent work was performed at St Thomas Church till the end of the seventeenth century, when it was laid aside until revived by Mendelssohn in 1829, just one hundred years after its first performance.
Ja nicht auf das Fest auf dass nicht ein Aufruhr werde Weissage]
The gigantic B Minor Mass was gradually composed. At first it was to have been a “missa brevis,” but the rest was added later. Hilgenfeldt[65] makes the following remarks on it:--“This Mass is one of the noblest works of Art, full of inventive genius, depth of feeling, and astonishing artistic power: there is no other of the same calibre which can be compared to it. It was originally written for the Saxon Court, and was first performed at Dresden. On his other compositions of the same kind Bach has expended far less energy. It is possible that a Protestant artist such as he was could not entirely enter into the religious point of view which he was obliged to take in composing for the Catholic Church, and several of his other masses are merely collected from portions of his cantatas.”
This is, however, also the case with the B minor Mass: thus the Crucifixus occurs in the cantata “Weinen Klagen,” the Hosanna in “Preise dein Glücke,” the Agnus in “Lobet Gott in seinen Reichen.”
The Mass is dedicated to Frederick Augustus in the following words:--
“ILLUSTRIOUS ELECTOR,--GRACIOUS MASTER,--To Your Royal Highness I offer in deepest devotion this small fruit of the knowledge to which I have attained in music, with the most humble prayer that you will look upon it, not according to the poor composition, but with your world-renowned clemency, and therefore will take me under your powerful protection.
“I have for some years had the direction of the music in the two chief churches at Leipsic, but have suffered several disagreeable things, and my income has been reduced though I am myself blameless; but these troubles would be easily overcome if your Highness would grant me the favour of a decree, after conference with your Court orchestra.