BACK TO THE BOOK
At the dress rehearsal of Bach’s St. Matthew’s Passion, the great conductor Leopold Stokowski went through the work once with the several hundred singers and orchestra, tapped for silence, and said, “Well, I guess you know the notes well enough. But the spirit is lacking. I want each of you to sit down tonight with your Bible and read St. Matthew’s account of the life of Christ. Try to grasp it all. Who knows — perhaps that message is just what our listeners need in a time of doubt and despair. Then let’s come back to our performance and try to convey to our audience the meaning and inspiration of these sacred words.” The singers were startled to hear this advice from the worldly, debonair Stokowski. But they did as they were told. At the performance the next night they sang their hearts out. Steve Wing, Colby, KS
To view this resource, log in or sign up for a subscription plan
