Long-Forgotten Johann Sebastian Bach Pieces Performed for First Time in 320 Years
Recently identified organ compositions by the renowned composer Bach have been revealed and played in the European nation for the premiere performance in over three centuries.
Germany's Cultural Affairs Minister Wolfram Weimer called the unearthing of the two compositions a "important event for the global music scene".
They originally drew interest of a Bach researcher in 1992 when he was documenting Bach manuscripts at the Belgian royal collection.
The organ pieces - the Chaconne composition in D minor and Chaconne in G minor - were dating unknown and anonymous. Mr Wollny spent the following three decades working to verify the authorship of the pieces.
Landmark Presentation
They were presented at the St Thomas Church in the eastern German municipality, where the composer is buried and where he was employed as a music director for twenty-seven years.
The two pieces were executed by organist from the Netherlands Ton Koopman, who said he was privileged to be able to present them for the premiere in over three centuries.
He said the works were "of a very high quality" and would be "a great asset for organists today, as they are also appropriate for reduced-scale organs".
Musical Importance
They are thought to have been written early in Bach's career, when he was serving as an music instructor in the municipality of the Thuringian town in central Germany.
The scholar, who is now the leader of the Bach research center in Leipzig, said they demonstrated several characteristics distinctive to the artist.
"In terms of style, the pieces also feature aspects that can be observed in Bach's compositions from this period, but not in those of different artists," he said.
They are thought to have been recorded in 1705 by Bach's apprentice, the musical student.
At a revealing of the pieces, Mr Wollny said he was "99.99% sure that Bach had composed the two compositions" and they have now been included into the official catalogue of his works.
- Europe
- German Heritage
- Orchestral works
- Musical Arts