Long-Forgotten Johann Sebastian Bach Pieces Presented for First Time in Over Three Centuries
Previously unknown organ compositions by Johann Sebastian Bach have been revealed and performed in the European nation for the first time in 320 years.
Germany's Minister of Culture the government representative called the finding of the pair of works a "great moment for the global music scene".
They initially attracted notice of a musical scholar in 1992 when he was documenting Bach manuscripts at the Royal Library of Belgium.
The musical compositions - the Chaconne composition in D minor and G minor Chaconne - were without dates and without attribution. Mr Wollny spent the following three decades working to confirm the origin of the pieces.
Historic Performance
They were presented at the St Thomas Church in the German city, where Bach is buried and where he served as a cantor for over two decades.
The pair of works were executed by Dutch musician the renowned organist, who said he was privileged to be able to perform them for the initial performance in over three centuries.
He said the pieces were "of a very high quality" and would be "an important addition for organists today, as they are also well-suited for smaller organs".
Historical Significance
They are believed to have been composed at the beginning of Bach's professional life, when he was employed as an organ teacher in the town of the Thuringian town in Thuringia.
The researcher, who is now the director of the Bach Archive in the municipality, said they displayed several characteristics unique to the musical genius.
"In terms of style, the compositions also feature elements that can be identified in Bach's works from that era, but not in those of different artists," he said.
They are considered to have been transcribed in 1705 by a student of Bach, Salomon Günther John.
At a presentation of the pieces, the expert said he was "99.99% sure that the composer had composed the two compositions" and they have now been included into the recognized inventory of his musical output.
- European Arts
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