Mendelssohn conducts the St Matthew Passion revival in Berlin

Background. The St Matthew Passion had not been heard in more or less its entirety outside Leipzig until 1829, when the twenty-year-old Felix Mendelssohn performed a version in Berlin with the Berlin Singakademie. The performance was received with great acclaim and is credited with reviving interest in the music of Johann Sebastian Bach.

Preparation. Mendelssohn began weekly rehearsals for the Passion in 1827. In late 1828 or early 1829, he and actor Eduard Devrient persuaded Carl Friedrich Zelter to secure support from the Sing-Akademie. Mendelssohn prepared a specific version for the performance, cutting out approximately ten arias and seven choruses to emphasize the drama of the Passion story over reflective solo singing.

Performance. The performance took place on 11 March 1829 in Berlin and was sold out quickly. Mendelssohn arranged and conducted the performance with the backing of Zelter and the assistance of Eduard Devrient. The work had not been heard in more or less its entirety outside Leipzig until this 1829 performance, which was received with great acclaim.