Mendelsohn In Freiburg Minster

Story: The Cathedral in Freiburg (in Breisgau), Germany had recently installed new magnificent Gottfried Silberman Organ, that took three years to build (1711 to 1714).

The Old Cathedral Organist, on retirement had been made Custodian of the Organ

One day, a well dressed young man /came up to the Custodian and asked /if he could play the Organ.

The Custodian looked at him and said.

“No, no one except the present organist and me has ever touched the keys to play the Organ and I am not about to make an exception”

For he didn’t think the young man could seriously play.

But the young stranger pestered him and finally the Custodian let him play - thinking he wouldn’t play for very long.

But to the Custodian's surprise, the young man's fingers danced over the keyboard in a way that the Custodian had never heard before.

The stranger played on and on. The Custodian was spellbound.

When the stranger got up to leave, the Custodian could not contain himself and said "Who are you - what is your name??"

As the young man slowly walked away, he turned and said

"My name is Felix Mendelsohn."

The Custodian gasped.

He said to himself, " I almost did not let the master play."

The Custodian had almost let his prejudice get the better of him.

(Word Press "Meeting in the Clouds" )

We all have prejudices which we need to overcome. (from Mt 15 Canaanite woman )