Long-Forgotten Johann Sebastian Bach Pieces Played for First Time in 320 Years

Previously unknown organ compositions by the renowned composer Bach have been revealed and played in the central European country for the first time in three hundred twenty years.

Germany's Cultural Affairs Minister the government representative called the unearthing of the pair of works a "important event for the global music scene".

They first caught the attention of a musical scholar in 1992 when he was documenting Bach manuscripts at the Belgian royal collection.

The organ works - the Chaconne in D minor and Chaconne in G minor - were dating unknown and unsigned. Mr Wollny spent the following three decades working to confirm the origin of the pieces.

Memorable Concert

They were presented at the historic Leipzig church in Leipzig, where the composer is buried and where he worked as a church musician for over two decades.

The two pieces were performed by Dutch musician Ton Koopman, who said he was privileged to be able to perform them for the first time in over three centuries.

He said the pieces were "remarkably sophisticated" and would be "a great asset for organists today, as they are also appropriate for more compact instruments".

Cultural Relevance

They are thought to have been composed during Bach's formative years, when he was employed as an organ teacher in the municipality of the Thuringian town in the German region.

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

"Stylistically, the works also feature elements that can be identified in Bach's works from that time, but not in those of other musicians," he said.

They are thought to have been written down in 1705 by Bach's apprentice, the historical figure.

At a revealing of the pieces, the researcher said he was "99.99% sure that Bach had composed the two pieces" and they have now been incorporated into the official catalogue of his works.