🔗 Share this article

Recently identified organ compositions by Johann Sebastian Bach have been presented and executed in Germany for the premiere performance in three hundred twenty years.

The nation's Cultural Affairs Minister the cultural official described the finding of the two compositions a "important event for the world of music".

They initially attracted notice of a musical scholar in 1992 when he was documenting Bach manuscripts at the Royal Library of Belgium.

The musical compositions - the Chaconne composition in D minor and G minor composition - were without dates and unsigned. Mr Wollny spent the next 30 years working to authenticate the origin of the pieces.

Memorable Concert

They were played at the Thomas Church in the eastern German municipality, where the composer is interred and where he served as a church musician for 27 years.

The compositions were executed by Dutch organist Ton Koopman, who said he was privileged to be able to play them for the initial performance in 320 years.

He said the pieces were "of a very high quality" and would be "a valuable resource for contemporary organ players, as they are also suitable for reduced-scale organs".

Cultural Relevance

They are considered to have been composed at the beginning of Bach's professional life, when he was serving as an organ instructor in the community of Arnstadt in central Germany.

The researcher, who is now the leader of the Bach Archive in the city, said they demonstrated several features particular to the musical genius.

"In terms of style, the pieces also feature elements that can be identified in the composer's creations from this period, but not in those of other musicians," he said.

They are considered to have been transcribed in 1705 by Bach's apprentice, the historical figure.

At a presentation of the works, the expert said he was "almost completely confident that the composer had composed the two pieces" and they have now been included into the recognized inventory of his compositions.