Missing Johann Sebastian Bach Pieces Played for First Time in 320 Years

Historical organ composition
The composer is thought to have created the two compositions early in his career

Newly discovered organ works by Johann Sebastian Bach have been unveiled and performed in the European nation for the premiere performance in over three centuries.

The nation's Cultural Affairs Minister the government representative labeled the finding of the two pieces a "great moment for the musical community".

They first caught the attention of Peter Wollny in the early nineties when he was documenting historical musical documents at the Royal Library of Belgium.

The musical compositions - the Chaconne in D minor and G minor Chaconne - were undated and without attribution. The researcher spent the following three decades working to verify the authorship of the pieces.

Historic Performance

They were performed at the St Thomas Church in the German city, where the composer is buried and where he worked as a cantor for 27 years.

The pair of works were performed by Dutch organist the renowned organist, who said he was proud to be able to perform them for the premiere in 320 years.

He said the pieces were "remarkably sophisticated" and would be "an important addition for modern musicians, as they are also suitable for reduced-scale organs".

Musical Importance

They are thought to have been created during Bach's formative years, when he was working as an music instructor in the community of the Thuringian town in the German region.

The researcher, who is now the head of the musical archive in the city, said they displayed several qualities distinctive to the artist.

"Musically, the works also contain elements that can be found in Bach's compositions from that time, but not in those of different artists," he said.

They are considered to have been transcribed in 1705 by a student of Bach, Salomon Günther John.

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

Associated Topics:
  • Europe
  • Germany
  • Classical compositions
  • Performance Arts
Ricky Smith
Ricky Smith

A luxury lifestyle journalist with over a decade of experience covering high-end brands and travel across Europe.