Missing Bach Compositions Performed for First-Ever Performance in 320 Years

Historical organ composition
Bach is considered to have created the two compositions during his early years

Previously unknown organ works by the musical genius Bach have been revealed and executed in Germany for the first time in 320 years.

The country's Minister of Culture the cultural official labeled the finding of the pair of works a "important event for the world of music".

They originally drew interest of Peter Wollny in the early nineties when he was documenting historical musical documents at the Brussels archive.

The organ works - the Chaconne in D minor and G minor Chaconne - were without dates and without attribution. The scholar spent the subsequent thirty years working to confirm the origin of the pieces.

Historic Performance

They were performed at the Thomas Church in the eastern German municipality, where Bach is buried and where he served as a music director for 27 years.

The compositions were performed by Dutch musician the renowned organist, who said he was proud to be able to present them for the first time in three hundred twenty years.

He said the works were "remarkably sophisticated" and would be "a great asset for contemporary organ players, as they are also appropriate for smaller organs".

Cultural Relevance

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

Mr Wollny, who is now the head of the Bach research center in the municipality, said they displayed several characteristics unique to the musical genius.

"In terms of style, the works also include aspects that can be observed in Bach's compositions from that time, but not in those of any other composer," he said.

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

At a presentation of the compositions, the expert said he was "almost completely confident that the composer had written the pair of works" and they have now been included into the authoritative listing of his musical output.

Related Categories:
  • Europe
  • German Culture
  • Classical compositions
  • Musical Arts
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