A Dictionary of Music and Musicians/Paul, St.
PAUL, ST., or, German, PAULUS. Mendelssohn's first oratorio (op. 36). It was commissioned by the Cecilienverein of Frankfort early in 1832, but was not produced till the Lower Rhine Festival at Düsseldorf, May 22, 1836. For the book—'in the words of Scripture'—he sought the aid of Marx, who however soon disagreed with him, and then of Fürst and Schubring; but his own judgment was always active. [See Mendelssohn, vol. ii. 271b.]
The second performance took place at Liverpool under Sir G. Smart on Oct. 3, 1836. Others in England were, Sacred Harmonic Society, March 7 and Sept. 12, 1837, and Birmingham Festival, under Mendelssohn himself, Sept. 20, 1837. In the interval between the first and second performances it had been revised by the composer, and published (May, 1837). Fourteen numbers were rejected, including two Chorales, 'O treuer Heiland,' and 'Ein' feste Burg.'
The English version is by Mr. W. Ball.