Johann Sebastian Bach - booksnow.scholarsportal.info

APPENDIX. 311Emesti's reply, dated August 17, 1736. He denies Bach'sassertion that the appointment of the Prefects had always lain with theCantor, who only selected such scholars as he deemed fit for the post,and then presented them to the Rector for appointment. He furtherasserts Krause to have been dismissed not from incapacity but out ofspite to himself, since he, Ernesti, had some time previously sentKrause to the Cantor with the request that he would appoint himPrefect, and since Krause's dismissal was due to this inadequatecause, he, Ernesti, had interdicted it. After a while Bach had consentedto reinstate Krause, but on various pretexts had deferred doingso. Thereupon Ernesti informs Bach that unless he forthwith reinstatesKrause he shall do so himself on the next Sunday, but receivesno answer. Ernesti then informs the scholars that none were toattempt, on pain of severe penalties, to undertake the post of thePrefect he had appointed. Bach, however, when he finds Krausestill acting as Prefect, expels him again without ceremony. Ernestithen refers the matter to the Superintendent, who promises enquiry,and meanwhile directs that Ernesti's Prefects are to retain theirplaces. Bach replies that he does not care, and when the Prefectshad gone to their places at the afternoon service " he with muchshouting and noise again drove Krause from the choir and directedthe scholar Claus to take the place of Prefect, who did so, butexcused himself to me while yet in the Church. And in the evening hedrove the other Prefect away from the (supper) table because he hadobeyed me." Ernesti declares Bach's assertions and complaints to beunfounded, and begs the Council not to entertain his complaints, butto admonish him to obedience and to attend to his duties with greaterdiligence. For he ascribes the unfortunate dereliction of duty on thepart of Krause to Bach's neglect in not undertaking the direction ofcertain musical performances himself, but leaving it entirely in thehands of Krause. He concludes by begging the Council to supporthim in his ofl&ce as Rector.August 20, 173&.Your Worships will call to your gracious remembrance that Iwas under the necessity of bringing to your notice the disorderswhich occurred this day week in the performance of public servicein consequence of the arrangements made by the Rector of the Thomasschulehere, M. Ernesti. To-day, both forenoon and afternoon, thesame things occurred again, and I was obliged, in order to avoid agreat commotion in the Church and disturbance of the service, to directthe motett myself, and to get a student to lead the singing. And asmatters are likely to become worse in the course of time, and I shallscarcely be able to maintain my authority in future with the scholarsplaced under me without the effectual interference of j-our Worships,my noble Patrons, and should therefore not be responsible were further