Missing Johann Sebastian Bach Pieces Presented for First-Ever Performance in Three Centuries
Newly discovered musical pieces by the musical genius Bach have been presented and performed in the European nation for the initial occasion in 320 years.
The country's Minister of Culture the cultural official described the discovery of the two pieces a "significant occasion for the musical community".
They first caught the attention of a Bach researcher in the early nineties when he was organizing historical musical documents at the Belgian royal collection.
The organ pieces - the Chaconne composition in D minor and G minor composition - were dating unknown and anonymous. Mr Wollny spent the subsequent thirty years working to verify the identity of the pieces.
Memorable Concert
They were performed at the St Thomas Church in the eastern German municipality, where the composer is laid to rest and where he was employed as a cantor for 27 years.
The pair of works were performed by Dutch organist Ton Koopman, who said he was privileged to be able to play them for the first time in over three centuries.
He said the pieces were "exceptionally well-crafted" and would be "an important addition for organists today, as they are also well-suited for more compact instruments".
Historical Significance
They are believed to have been created during Bach's formative years, when he was employed as an organ teacher in the town of the German town in the German region.
The researcher, who is now the director of the Bach Archive in Leipzig, said they exhibited several qualities distinctive to the composer.
"Musically, the works also feature elements that can be identified in Bach's works from that time, but not in those of any other composer," he said.
They are believed to have been recorded in 1705 by one of Bach's pupils, the historical figure.
At a presentation of the pieces, Mr Wollny said he was "99.99% sure that Bach had created the two pieces" and they have now been included into the authoritative listing of his works.
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