Missing Johann Sebastian Bach Compositions Performed for First Time in Three Centuries

Newly discovered organ works by the musical genius Bach have been revealed and executed in the European nation for the premiere performance in three hundred twenty years.

The nation's Cultural Affairs Minister the cultural official called the unearthing of the two pieces a "significant occasion for the musical community".

They first caught the attention of a Bach researcher in 1992 when he was organizing historical musical documents at the Royal Library of Belgium.

The organ pieces - the Chaconne in D minor and Chaconne in G minor - were dating unknown and unsigned. Mr Wollny spent the next 30 years working to confirm the origin of the pieces.

Landmark Presentation

They were played at the St Thomas Church in the German city, where the composer is buried and where he worked as a cantor for twenty-seven years.

The pair of works were played by Dutch organist the renowned organist, who said he was proud to be able to play them for the initial performance in three hundred twenty years.

He said the compositions were "exceptionally well-crafted" and would be "a valuable resource for organists today, as they are also appropriate for more compact instruments".

Cultural Relevance

They are believed to have been created during Bach's formative years, when he was working as an music instructor in the municipality of the Thuringian town in Thuringia.

Mr Wollny, who is now the head of the musical archive in the city, said they demonstrated several qualities distinctive to the artist.

"Musically, the works also feature characteristics that can be found in Bach's works from that era, but not in those of other musicians," he said.

They are believed to have been recorded in 1705 by one of Bach's pupils, the historical figure.

At a unveiling of the compositions, Mr Wollny said he was "virtually certain that Bach had created the two compositions" and they have now been included into the recognized inventory of his works.