Lost Bach Works Performed for First Time in 320 Years
Newly discovered organ works by the musical genius Bach have been presented and played in the European nation for the premiere performance in three hundred twenty years.
Germany's Culture Minister the cultural official described the discovery of the pair of works a "important event for the global music scene".
They originally drew interest of a Bach researcher in the early nineties when he was organizing historical musical documents at the Brussels archive.
The organ works - the Chaconne composition in D minor and G minor composition - were without dates and without attribution. The scholar spent the next 30 years working to verify the origin of the pieces.
Memorable Concert
They were played at the Thomas Church in the eastern German municipality, where Bach is buried and where he worked as a music director for twenty-seven years.
The two pieces were executed by Dutch organist the musical performer, who said he was privileged to be able to perform them for the initial performance in over three centuries.
He said the works were "exceptionally well-crafted" and would be "a great asset for contemporary organ players, as they are also appropriate for smaller organs".
Historical Significance
They are believed to have been written early in Bach's career, when he was serving as an organ teacher in the municipality of Arnstadt in central Germany.
The scholar, who is now the head of the musical archive in Leipzig, said they displayed several qualities unique to the musical genius.
"In terms of style, the pieces also feature elements that can be found in Bach's compositions from that time, but not in those of other musicians," he said.
They are believed to have been written down in 1705 by a student of Bach, Salomon Günther John.
At a presentation of the pieces, Mr Wollny said he was "virtually certain that the composer had written the pair of works" and they have now been incorporated into the authoritative listing of his works.
- European Culture
- German Heritage
- Classical compositions
- Performance Arts