Lost Bach Pieces Played for First-Ever Performance in Three Centuries
Newly discovered musical pieces by Johann Sebastian Bach have been unveiled and played in the European nation for the initial occasion in 320 years.
Germany's Culture Minister the cultural official called the finding of the two compositions a "important event for the world of music".
They first caught the attention of a Bach researcher in the early nineties when he was cataloguing the composer's papers at the Royal Library of Belgium.
The musical compositions - the Chaconne in D minor and G minor composition - were dating unknown and unsigned. The researcher spent the next 30 years working to authenticate the identity of the pieces.
Memorable Concert
They were played at the historic Leipzig church in the German city, where Bach is interred and where he worked as a cantor for twenty-seven years.
The compositions were executed by organist from the Netherlands the musical performer, who said he was proud to be able to present them for the initial performance in over three centuries.
He said the works were "remarkably sophisticated" and would be "a valuable resource for contemporary organ players, as they are also suitable for reduced-scale organs".
Musical Importance
They are believed to have been composed at the beginning of Bach's professional life, when he was working as an organ teacher in the community of the German town in the German region.
Mr Wollny, who is now the director of the musical archive in the municipality, said they displayed several characteristics unique to the musical genius.
"In terms of style, the pieces also feature characteristics that can be observed in Bach's compositions from that era, but not in those of other musicians," he said.
They are thought to have been transcribed in 1705 by one of Bach's pupils, the musical student.
At a unveiling of the compositions, the researcher said he was "almost completely confident that Bach had composed the two pieces" and they have now been included into the official catalogue of his musical output.
- European Arts
- Germany
- Classical music
- Musical Arts