Lost Johann Sebastian Bach Works Presented for First Time in Three Centuries

Historical organ composition
The composer is thought to have created the two organ pieces during his early years

Newly discovered organ compositions by the renowned composer Bach have been revealed and played in the European nation for the first time in over three centuries.

Germany's Minister of Culture the government representative called the finding of the pair of works a "important event for the global music scene".

They first caught the attention of Peter Wollny in 1992 when he was organizing Bach manuscripts at the Brussels archive.

The organ works - the D minor Chaconne and G minor composition - were undated and unsigned. The scholar spent the next 30 years working to confirm the origin of the pieces.

Memorable Concert

They were presented at the St Thomas Church in the eastern German municipality, where the composer is interred and where he was employed as a music director for over two decades.

The pair of works were performed by Dutch musician Ton Koopman, who said he was proud to be able to present them for the first time in over three centuries.

He said the works were "of a very high quality" and would be "an important addition for contemporary organ players, as they are also appropriate for more compact instruments".

Historical Significance

They are considered to have been composed during Bach's formative years, when he was employed as an organ instructor in the community of the German town in central Germany.

Mr Wollny, who is now the director of the Bach research center in the city, said they exhibited several qualities distinctive to the musical genius.

"Musically, the works also feature characteristics that can be observed in Bach's compositions from this period, but not in those of other musicians," he said.

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

At a presentation of the pieces, Mr Wollny said he was "virtually certain that the composer had created the two pieces" and they have now been included into the recognized inventory of his compositions.

Associated Topics:
  • Europe
  • German Heritage
  • Orchestral works
  • Performance Arts
Brianna Mooney
Brianna Mooney

A space science journalist with a background in astrophysics, passionate about making cosmic phenomena accessible to all readers.