Long-Forgotten Bach Works Presented for First Time in 320 Years

Historical organ composition
Bach is believed to have created the pair of organ works early in his career

Previously unknown organ compositions by the musical genius Bach have been revealed and executed in the European nation for the premiere performance in over three centuries.

The nation's Minister of Culture the government representative called the finding of the two compositions a "important event for the world of music".

They originally drew interest of a Bach researcher in 1992 when he was documenting the composer's papers at the Royal Library of Belgium.

The musical compositions - the D minor Chaconne and Chaconne in G minor - were without dates and without attribution. Mr Wollny spent the next 30 years working to verify the authorship of the pieces.

Landmark Presentation

They were presented at the Thomas Church in the eastern German municipality, where Bach is buried and where he worked as a cantor for 27 years.

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

He said the works were "remarkably sophisticated" and would be "an important addition for organists today, as they are also appropriate for smaller organs".

Historical Significance

They are thought to have been composed at the beginning of Bach's professional life, when he was working as an music instructor in the municipality of Arnstadt in central Germany.

The researcher, who is now the head of the Bach Archive in the city, said they displayed several characteristics particular to the artist.

"In terms of style, the pieces also contain characteristics that can be found in Bach's works from that era, but not in those of any other composer," he said.

They are thought to have been recorded in the early eighteenth century by one of Bach's pupils, Salomon Günther John.

At a unveiling of the compositions, the expert said he was "99.99% sure that Bach had composed the two pieces" and they have now been included into the authoritative listing of his musical output.

Associated Topics:
  • Europe
  • German Heritage
  • Orchestral works
  • Performance Arts
Jack Johnson
Jack Johnson

A tech strategist with over a decade of experience in digital innovation and enterprise solutions.

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