Lost Bach Compositions Performed for First Time in Over Three Centuries

Recently identified organ works by Johann Sebastian Bach have been presented and performed in Germany for the premiere performance in three hundred twenty years.

The nation's Minister of Culture the cultural official described the finding of the two compositions a "great moment for the global music scene".

They originally drew interest of a musical scholar in 1992 when he was organizing the composer's papers at the Belgian royal collection.

The musical compositions - the D minor Chaconne and G minor composition - were undated and without attribution. The scholar spent the next 30 years working to verify the authorship of the pieces.

Memorable Concert

They were performed at the Thomas Church in Leipzig, where Bach is buried and where he served as a cantor for 27 years.

The pair of works were performed by Dutch organist the musical performer, who said he was proud to be able to present them for the initial performance in 320 years.

He said the pieces were "of a very high quality" and would be "a valuable resource for contemporary organ players, as they are also well-suited for more compact instruments".

Cultural Relevance

They are believed to have been written during Bach's formative years, when he was working as an organ teacher in the community of the Thuringian town in the German region.

The researcher, who is now the head of the musical archive in Leipzig, said they demonstrated several characteristics distinctive to the composer.

"Stylistically, the pieces also contain characteristics that can be identified in Bach's compositions from that era, but not in those of any other composer," he said.

They are considered to have been recorded in 1705 by one of Bach's pupils, the historical figure.

At a revealing of the compositions, the expert said he was "virtually certain that the composer had created the two compositions" and they have now been added into the official catalogue of his musical output.