Missing Johann Sebastian Bach Works Performed for First-Ever Performance in Three Centuries

Historical organ composition
The composer is thought to have created the pair of organ works early in his career

Newly discovered musical pieces by Johann Sebastian Bach have been revealed and played in Germany for the premiere performance in 320 years.

Germany's Cultural Affairs Minister Wolfram Weimer described the unearthing of the pair of works a "significant occasion for the global music scene".

They first caught the attention of Peter Wollny in 1992 when he was organizing historical musical documents at the Royal Library of Belgium.

The organ pieces - the Chaconne in D minor and G minor composition - were dating unknown and without attribution. Mr Wollny spent the next 30 years working to confirm the identity of the pieces.

Memorable Concert

They were presented at the St Thomas Church in Leipzig, where Bach is laid to rest and where he served as a cantor for 27 years.

The compositions were performed by Dutch organist the renowned organist, who said he was privileged to be able to perform them for the initial performance in three hundred twenty years.

He said the pieces were "remarkably sophisticated" and would be "a great asset for organists today, as they are also appropriate for more compact instruments".

Cultural Relevance

They are thought to have been created at the beginning of Bach's professional life, when he was serving as an organ instructor in the municipality of the German town in the German region.

Mr Wollny, who is now the leader of the Bach Archive in Leipzig, said they exhibited several qualities unique to the musical genius.

"Musically, the pieces also contain aspects that can be identified in Bach's works from this period, but not in those of different artists," he said.

They are thought to have been written down in the early eighteenth century by a student of Bach, the musical student.

At a revealing of the pieces, the expert said he was "99.99% sure that Bach had created the pair of works" and they have now been added into the official catalogue of his musical output.

Connected Subjects:
  • European Arts
  • German Culture
  • Classical compositions
  • Musical Arts
Lisa Cole
Lisa Cole

Mira is a data scientist and tech writer specializing in analytics tools and digital transformation strategies.