Lost Johann Sebastian Bach Compositions Presented for First-Ever Performance in 320 Years

Historical organ composition
Bach is thought to have created the two organ pieces early in his career

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

Germany's Minister of Culture the cultural official described the finding of the two pieces a "significant occasion for the musical community".

They initially attracted notice of a musical scholar in the early nineties when he was cataloguing the composer's papers at the Royal Library of Belgium.

The organ works - the Chaconne in D minor and G minor Chaconne - were dating unknown and unsigned. The scholar spent the subsequent thirty years working to verify the origin of the pieces.

Memorable Concert

They were performed at the St Thomas Church in Leipzig, where the composer is buried and where he worked as a music director for twenty-seven years.

The pair of works were executed by organist from the Netherlands the musical performer, who said he was proud to be able to perform them for the first time in three hundred twenty years.

He said the works were "of a very high quality" and would be "an important addition for contemporary organ players, as they are also suitable for smaller organs".

Cultural Relevance

They are thought to have been created early in Bach's career, when he was serving as an organ teacher in the town of Arnstadt in central Germany.

Mr Wollny, who is now the director of the Bach Archive in the municipality, said they displayed several qualities unique to the musical genius.

"In terms of style, the works also feature characteristics that can be found in Bach's compositions from that era, but not in those of different artists," he said.

They are thought to have been recorded in the early eighteenth century by Bach's apprentice, the musical student.

At a presentation of the compositions, the expert said he was "virtually certain that Bach had written the two compositions" and they have now been added into the official catalogue of his compositions.

Connected Subjects:
  • European Culture
  • Germany
  • Classical compositions
  • Music
Chelsea Ortega
Chelsea Ortega

Award-winning film critic with over a decade of experience covering international cinema and festival circuits.