Missing Bach Pieces Performed for First Time in 320 Years

Historical organ composition
Bach is considered to have composed the pair of organ works early in his career

Recently identified musical pieces by the renowned composer Bach have been unveiled and executed in the European nation for the first time in 320 years.

Germany's Minister of Culture the government representative described the finding of the two compositions a "great moment for the world of music".

They originally drew interest of a musical scholar in the early nineties when he was organizing the composer's papers at the Royal Library of Belgium.

The organ works - the D minor Chaconne and Chaconne in G minor - were without dates and without attribution. The researcher spent the following three decades working to confirm the identity of the pieces.

Landmark Presentation

They were played at the historic Leipzig church in Leipzig, where Bach is interred and where he worked as a cantor for 27 years.

The compositions were performed by Dutch organist the musical performer, who said he was privileged to be able to present them for the initial performance in over three centuries.

He said the compositions were "exceptionally well-crafted" and would be "a great asset for modern musicians, as they are also suitable for reduced-scale organs".

Musical Importance

They are considered to have been written early in Bach's career, when he was working as an music instructor in the community of the German town in Thuringia.

The researcher, who is now the head of the Bach Archive in Leipzig, said they displayed several qualities particular to the composer.

"Stylistically, the compositions also feature elements that can be found in the composer's creations from that time, but not in those of any other composer," he said.

They are believed to have been recorded in 1705 by a student of Bach, the historical figure.

At a unveiling of the pieces, the researcher said he was "virtually certain that Bach had created the two pieces" and they have now been added into the authoritative listing of his works.

Connected Subjects:
  • Europe
  • Germany
  • Classical compositions
  • Music
Jorge Osborn
Jorge Osborn

A technology journalist and business analyst with over a decade of experience covering global tech trends and startup ecosystems.