Johann Sebastian Bach - booksnow.scholarsportal.info

1 SeeVol. II., p. 261.B 2BOOK VI.I.DISPUTES WITH ERNESTI.— THE COLLEGIUM MUSICUM, —THE ORIGIN OF THE CONCERT,GESNER'S successor as rector of the Thomasschulewas Johann August Ernesti,^ who in 1732 had beenappointed Conrector. Ernesti, born in 1707, was still veryyoung when he was placed at the head of the school ; buthe was qualified for the post by his learning and accomplishments,grounded on a thorough knowledge of the authorsof antiquit}', and by a conspicuous talent for methodicalteaching, under his guidance the school made wonderfulprogress, and in this respect he was worthy to succeedGesner, whom he even excelled in his writings by theirlucidity, accuracy, and a high and pure standard ofLatinity. On the other hand, he lacked the geniality, thesympathetic kindliness, and the breadth of culture by whichGesner's highly successful work had been carried out, aswell as his judgment and delicate tact. Ernesti held theplace of Rector till 1759, when he accepted a professorialChair in the University.Bach, who was now nearly fifty, was at first onexcellent terms with his superior, whose father he mightvery well have been in point of age. His family continuedto increase ; in 1733 he had already requested Ernestito be godfather to one of his sons, and he did so again onthe birth of his last son, Johann Christian, in September,^735- But these friendly relations were not destined to be