Long-Forgotten Bach Compositions Performed for First-Ever Performance in 320 Years

Historical organ composition
The composer is believed to have written the pair of organ works during his early years

Previously unknown organ works by the renowned composer Bach have been unveiled and executed in Germany for the initial occasion 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 global music scene".

They originally drew interest of Peter Wollny in 1992 when he was cataloguing Bach manuscripts at the Brussels archive.

The organ works - the Chaconne in D minor and G minor Chaconne - were dating unknown and unsigned. Mr Wollny spent the next 30 years working to verify the identity of the pieces.

Landmark Presentation

They were played at the historic Leipzig church in the German city, where the composer is laid to rest and where he worked as a cantor for 27 years.

The pair of works were performed by organist from the Netherlands Ton Koopman, who said he was privileged to be able to present them for the initial performance in over three centuries.

He said the compositions were "exceptionally well-crafted" and would be "an important addition for modern musicians, as they are also well-suited for reduced-scale organs".

Musical Importance

They are considered to have been written during Bach's formative years, when he was serving as an organ instructor in the town of Arnstadt in the German region.

The researcher, who is now the director of the Bach research center in the municipality, said they demonstrated several qualities unique to the artist.

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

They are believed to have been written down in 1705 by one of Bach's pupils, the musical student.

At a unveiling of the pieces, Mr Wollny said he was "99.99% sure that the composer had created the pair of works" and they have now been included into the official catalogue of his musical output.

Connected Subjects:
  • European Arts
  • German Culture
  • Classical compositions
  • Musical Arts
Jared Wang
Jared Wang

A film critic with over a decade of experience covering Hollywood and indie cinema, passionate about storytelling and cinematic trends.