Lost Johann Sebastian Bach Works Presented for First-Ever Performance in Over Three Centuries
Recently identified organ compositions by Johann Sebastian Bach have been revealed and performed in the European nation for the first time in 320 years.
The nation's Minister of Culture Wolfram Weimer labeled the unearthing of the two pieces a "important event for the world of music".
They first caught the attention of a Bach researcher in 1992 when he was documenting Bach manuscripts at the Brussels archive.
The organ pieces - the Chaconne composition in D minor and Chaconne in G minor - were without dates and without attribution. Mr Wollny spent the following three decades working to verify the identity of the pieces.
Historic Performance
They were presented at the St Thomas Church in the eastern German municipality, where Bach is buried and where he served as a church musician for 27 years.
The two pieces were played by organist from the Netherlands the musical performer, who said he was proud to be able to perform them for the initial performance in over three centuries.
He said the works were "remarkably sophisticated" and would be "a great asset for organists today, as they are also appropriate for smaller organs".
Musical Importance
They are thought to have been created during Bach's formative years, when he was serving as an organ instructor in the town of the Thuringian town in central Germany.
The researcher, who is now the head of the musical archive in the municipality, said they displayed several characteristics unique to the musical genius.
"Musically, the pieces 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 considered to have been transcribed in 1705 by a student of Bach, the musical student.
At a unveiling of the works, Mr Wollny said he was "virtually certain that Bach had composed the two pieces" and they have now been incorporated into the authoritative listing of his musical output.
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