Lost Johann Sebastian Bach Pieces Presented for First Time in Over Three Centuries
Recently identified organ works by Johann Sebastian Bach have been unveiled and executed in the central European country for the initial occasion in over three centuries.
The country's Culture Minister the cultural official described the finding of the two pieces a "significant occasion for the global music scene".
They first caught the attention of a musical scholar in 1992 when he was organizing Bach manuscripts at the Brussels archive.
The organ works - the Chaconne composition in D minor and G minor composition - were undated and without attribution. Mr Wollny spent the next 30 years working to verify the identity of the pieces.
Memorable Concert
They were played at the Thomas Church in the German city, where the composer is buried and where he worked as a cantor for over two decades.
The compositions were played by organist from the Netherlands the renowned organist, who said he was honored to be able to play them for the initial performance in 320 years.
He said the compositions were "remarkably sophisticated" and would be "a great asset for contemporary organ players, as they are also appropriate for smaller organs".
Musical Importance
They are thought to have been written early in Bach's career, when he was working as an organ instructor in the municipality of the German town in central Germany.
The researcher, who is now the leader of the musical archive in Leipzig, said they exhibited several features unique to the musical genius.
"Musically, the works also feature characteristics that can be observed in the composer's creations from this period, but not in those of any other composer," he said.
They are believed to have been written down in the early eighteenth century by Bach's apprentice, the historical figure.
At a revealing of the works, Mr Wollny said he was "virtually certain that the composer had written the two pieces" and they have now been added into the official catalogue of his compositions.
- European Culture
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- Orchestral works
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