Long-Forgotten Johann Sebastian Bach Pieces Played for First-Ever Performance in Over Three Centuries

Historical organ composition
Bach is thought to have written the two compositions early in his career

Previously unknown organ works by the renowned composer Bach have been revealed and executed in the European nation for the first time in three hundred twenty years.

The nation's Minister of Culture the government representative called the discovery of the pair of works a "great moment for the world of music".

They initially attracted notice of Peter Wollny in 1992 when he was cataloguing historical musical documents at the Belgian royal collection.

The organ pieces - the Chaconne in D minor and Chaconne in G minor - were undated and without attribution. Mr Wollny spent the following three decades working to authenticate the authorship of the pieces.

Historic Performance

They were performed at the St Thomas Church in the German city, where Bach is buried and where he worked as a church musician for over two decades.

The two pieces were performed by Dutch musician the musical performer, who said he was proud to be able to perform them for the first time in 320 years.

He said the works were "of a very high quality" and would be "a great asset for organists today, as they are also suitable for reduced-scale organs".

Cultural Relevance

They are thought to have been created early in Bach's career, when he was employed as an music instructor in the town of the Thuringian town in central Germany.

Mr Wollny, who is now the director of the Bach research center in the municipality, said they displayed several features particular to the composer.

"Musically, the works also feature aspects that can be identified in Bach's compositions from this period, but not in those of any other composer," he said.

They are believed to have been recorded in 1705 by Bach's apprentice, the historical figure.

At a presentation of the pieces, the researcher said he was "virtually certain that the composer had created the two pieces" and they have now been added into the authoritative listing of his works.

Related Categories:
  • European Culture
  • German Culture
  • Classical compositions
  • Musical Arts
Timothy Morales
Timothy Morales

A technology strategist with over a decade of experience in IT consulting and digital innovation, Elena specializes in helping businesses leverage technology for growth.