Johann Sebastian Bach

"Bach's music had received slightly more favour since the Bach Gesellschaft was formed in 1850, and following this date regular publications of his works took place: certainly a few authentic performances were given. But it was Mendelssohn who was responsible for the return of Bach's music to the concert platform; he was conducting performances of the major choral works as early as 1855. However, it is important to remember that modern instruments were used. In the Musical Times of August 1886, an editorial notes that Sir Arthur Sullivan has the intention to conduct the B minor Mass in the Leeds Festival using the original trumpets and other instruments" (Campbell 25).

Sullivan had the Mendellsohn scholarship when he was studying music in London.

Campbell notes, however, that "The trumpets used at the Leeds Festival were not 'old German', as stated in the Musical Times. The first trumpeter, Walter Morrow, played a modern two-valve straight trumpet in high A, by or supplied by G. Silvani of London, which he designed himself following the bore-valve trumpet. The first occasion in this country [England] when the trumpet and oboe d'amore parts were played as written as in the 1885 [Leeds Festival] performance, not the 1886" (Campbell 27, n. 17).

Sullivan conducted at the Leeds Festivals from 1880 to 1898 ("Sullivan").

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Last update: 26 April 1998.