Lost Johann Sebastian Bach Compositions Presented for First Time in Over Three Centuries
Previously unknown organ works by the musical genius Bach have been presented and executed in the European nation for the first time in three hundred twenty years.
The country's Cultural Affairs Minister the government representative described the unearthing of the two compositions a "important event for the world of music".
They first caught the attention of a musical scholar in 1992 when he was documenting historical musical documents at the Belgian royal collection.
The organ works - the Chaconne in D minor and G minor composition - were without dates and unsigned. Mr Wollny spent the following three decades working to verify the authorship of the pieces.
Historic Performance
They were presented at the St Thomas Church in Leipzig, where the composer is buried and where he was employed as a cantor for 27 years.
The pair of works were executed by organist from the Netherlands Ton Koopman, who said he was privileged to be able to perform them for the premiere in 320 years.
He said the compositions were "exceptionally well-crafted" and would be "an important addition for contemporary organ players, as they are also appropriate for smaller organs".
Musical Importance
They are thought to have been composed during Bach's formative years, when he was serving as an music instructor in the municipality of the German town in the German region.
The scholar, who is now the director of the Bach research center in the city, said they displayed several characteristics distinctive to the artist.
"In terms of style, the compositions also contain characteristics that can be observed in Bach's works from that era, but not in those of any other composer," he said.
They are thought to have been transcribed in 1705 by Bach's apprentice, the musical student.
At a unveiling of the works, Mr Wollny said he was "virtually certain that the composer had created the pair of works" and they have now been included into the recognized inventory of his musical output.
- European Culture
- German Culture
- Classical music
- Musical Arts