Missing Johann Sebastian Bach Works Played for First-Ever Performance in 320 Years
Previously unknown organ works by the renowned composer Bach have been revealed and executed in Germany for the first time in three hundred twenty years.
Germany's Culture Minister the cultural official labeled the finding of the two pieces a "significant occasion for the world of music".
They initially attracted notice of a musical scholar in 1992 when he was documenting historical musical documents at the Royal Library of Belgium.
The organ pieces - the Chaconne composition in D minor and G minor composition - were dating unknown and without attribution. The scholar spent the next 30 years working to authenticate the identity of the pieces.
Landmark Presentation
They were performed at the Thomas Church in Leipzig, where the composer is buried and where he was employed as a cantor for 27 years.
The compositions were played by organist from the Netherlands the renowned organist, who said he was privileged to be able to present them for the first time in over three centuries.
He said the pieces were "of a very high quality" and would be "a great asset for contemporary organ players, as they are also suitable for more compact instruments".
Cultural Relevance
They are thought to have been written early in Bach's career, when he was serving as an organ instructor in the town of the Thuringian town in Thuringia.
The researcher, who is now the leader of the musical archive in the municipality, said they displayed several qualities particular to the musical genius.
"In terms of style, the works also include characteristics that can be identified in the composer's creations from that era, but not in those of other musicians," he said.
They are thought to have been written down in the early eighteenth century by one of Bach's pupils, the historical figure.
At a presentation of the works, Mr Wollny said he was "almost completely confident that the composer had composed the two compositions" and they have now been added into the recognized inventory of his musical output.
- European Culture
- Germany
- Classical music
- Music