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

Previously unknown organ compositions by the renowned composer Bach have been unveiled and executed in the central European country for the initial occasion in three hundred twenty years.

The country's Culture Minister the government representative described the discovery of the two compositions a "important event for the musical community".

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

The organ pieces - the D minor Chaconne and Chaconne in G minor - were without dates and unsigned. Mr Wollny spent the following three decades working to confirm the origin of the pieces.

Memorable Concert

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

The pair of works were executed by Dutch musician the renowned organist, who said he was proud to be able to present them for the first time in 320 years.

He said the works were "remarkably sophisticated" and would be "an important addition for contemporary organ players, as they are also suitable for smaller organs".

Historical Significance

They are believed to have been composed early in Bach's career, when he was employed as an music instructor in the town of Arnstadt in the German region.

The scholar, who is now the director of the Bach Archive in the municipality, said they displayed several features particular to the artist.

"Musically, the compositions also contain aspects that can be identified in the composer's creations from that era, but not in those of any other composer," he said.

They are believed to have been transcribed in 1705 by a student of Bach, the historical figure.

At a revealing of the works, the researcher said he was "almost completely confident that Bach had created the two compositions" and they have now been incorporated into the official catalogue of his musical output.