Missing Johann Sebastian Bach Pieces Presented for First-Ever Performance in Three Centuries

Historical organ composition
Bach is considered to have written the two compositions at the start of his musical journey

Newly discovered organ works by the musical genius Bach have been unveiled and executed in the central European country for the premiere performance in 320 years.

Germany's Culture Minister the cultural official described the discovery of the pair of works a "significant occasion for the world of music".

They originally drew interest of a musical scholar in the early nineties when he was cataloguing historical musical documents at the Royal Library of Belgium.

The musical compositions - the Chaconne composition in D minor and G minor composition - were without dates and without attribution. The scholar spent the subsequent thirty years working to authenticate the authorship of the pieces.

Memorable Concert

They were played at the St Thomas Church in Leipzig, where Bach is buried and where he worked as a music director for 27 years.

The two pieces were performed by organist from the Netherlands the musical performer, who said he was honored to be able to present them for the initial performance in over three centuries.

He said the pieces were "remarkably sophisticated" and would be "a valuable resource for organists today, as they are also appropriate for smaller organs".

Musical Importance

They are considered to have been created early in Bach's career, when he was working as an organ teacher in the community of the German town in Thuringia.

Mr Wollny, who is now the head of the Bach research center in Leipzig, said they exhibited several characteristics particular to the musical genius.

"Stylistically, the works also feature characteristics that can be observed in the composer's creations from this period, but not in those of other musicians," he said.

They are considered to have been recorded in the early eighteenth century by Bach's apprentice, the musical student.

At a revealing of the pieces, the researcher said he was "almost completely confident that the composer had composed the pair of works" and they have now been incorporated into the official catalogue of his compositions.

Connected Subjects:
  • European Culture
  • German Heritage
  • Classical music
  • Performance Arts
Craig Church
Craig Church

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