Which event contributed to Bach's international recognition after his death?

• A. Rediscovered by Felix Mendelssohn
• B. His music was widely known during his lifetime
• C. He wrote many operas
• D. His works were banned

Answer: (A)

The event that truly expanded Bach’s reputation beyond his lifetime was the rediscovery and revival led by Felix Mendelssohn. Mendelssohn found Bach’s music and organized a landmark performance in the early 19th century—most famously the St. Matthew Passion in 1829—bringing Bach’s sacred works back into the concert repertoire and to audiences far from Bach’s own era. This sparked a broader Bach revival, with new editions, performances, and admiration spreading internationally, which is how Bach became recognized worldwide after his death. In his lifetime Bach’s music was not widely known across Europe or beyond, he did not focus on operas (he wrote comparatively little for the stage, mostly sacred and instrumental music), and there was no ban on his works.