Missing Bach Pieces Presented for First-Ever Performance in 320 Years
Newly discovered organ works by the renowned composer Bach have been presented and executed in the European nation for the initial occasion in over three centuries.
Germany's Culture Minister Wolfram Weimer described the unearthing of the two pieces a "great moment for the musical community".
They originally drew interest of a Bach researcher in 1992 when he was cataloguing historical musical documents at the Royal Library of Belgium.
The organ pieces - the Chaconne composition in D minor and Chaconne in G minor - were without dates and without attribution. Mr Wollny spent the next 30 years working to verify the identity of the pieces.
Memorable Concert
They were presented at the Thomas Church in the German city, where the composer is buried and where he worked as a cantor for twenty-seven years.
The two pieces were executed by Dutch musician the renowned organist, who said he was privileged to be able to play them for the premiere in 320 years.
He said the pieces were "exceptionally well-crafted" and would be "a great asset for modern musicians, as they are also suitable for smaller organs".
Historical Significance
They are considered to have been composed early in Bach's career, when he was working as an organ instructor in the municipality of the German town in central Germany.
The scholar, who is now the director of the Bach research center in the city, said they displayed several features unique to the artist.
"In terms of style, the pieces also contain aspects that can be found in the composer's creations from that time, but not in those of any other composer," he said.
They are considered to have been recorded in the early eighteenth century by a student of Bach, the historical figure.
At a presentation of the pieces, Mr Wollny said he was "virtually certain that Bach had composed the pair of works" and they have now been added into the authoritative listing of his works.
- European Arts
- German Culture
- Classical compositions
- Music