Missing Bach Works Presented for First Time in Over Three Centuries

Historical organ composition
The composer is thought to have created the pair of organ works during his early years

Recently identified organ works by the musical genius Bach have been presented and played in the European nation for the first time in three hundred twenty years.

Germany's Cultural Affairs Minister the government representative called the discovery of the pair of works a "great moment for the world of music".

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

The organ pieces - the Chaconne in D minor and G minor composition - were undated and unsigned. The researcher spent the next 30 years working to verify the origin of the pieces.

Landmark Presentation

They were presented at the historic Leipzig church in Leipzig, where Bach is buried and where he served as a music director for 27 years.

The compositions were performed by Dutch musician the musical performer, who said he was privileged to be able to perform them for the premiere in over three centuries.

He said the pieces were "remarkably sophisticated" and would be "a valuable resource for contemporary organ players, as they are also suitable for smaller organs".

Musical Importance

They are thought to have been written early in Bach's career, when he was working as an music instructor in the municipality of the German town in the German region.

The scholar, who is now the leader of the musical archive in Leipzig, said they exhibited several qualities distinctive to the composer.

"Musically, the pieces also feature characteristics that can be observed in Bach's compositions from that era, but not in those of any other composer," he said.

They are believed to have been written down in 1705 by Bach's apprentice, the musical student.

At a revealing of the works, Mr Wollny said he was "virtually certain that the composer had composed the two compositions" and they have now been included into the recognized inventory of his musical output.

Connected Subjects:
  • Europe
  • German Heritage
  • Orchestral works
  • Performance Arts
Jason Gray
Jason Gray

A Berlin-based political analyst with over a decade of experience covering German and European affairs.