Bernard Chasan: >... according to some remarks of Robert Levin at concert he played, Bach >was considered not really qualified for the St. Thomas job because he did >not have a university degree!! He was hired only after the first two >candidates, each with a degree,turned the job down, An often overlooked fact is that Bach's appointment was that of the Cantor of the Thomas*schule* and not of the Thomas*kirche*. His job involved more teaching duties than it's commonly thought. Latin instruction was in important duty of the Cantor and Bach's lack of proper background and credentials was a problem. In fact, he actually delegated the Latin lessons to somebody else and paid him from his own salary - not only did he dislike teaching Latin, but he wasn't really well qualified to do so. -Margaret Mikulska [log in to unmask]