Missing Johann Sebastian Bach Works Performed for First Time in Over Three Centuries
Previously unknown organ works by the renowned composer Bach have been revealed and performed in the European nation for the initial occasion in over three centuries.
The country's Culture Minister the government representative labeled the finding of the two pieces a "important event for the global music scene".
They initially attracted notice of a musical scholar in the early nineties when he was organizing the composer's papers at the Brussels archive.
The organ pieces - the Chaconne in D minor and Chaconne in G minor - were dating unknown and unsigned. The researcher spent the next 30 years working to confirm the authorship of the pieces.
Historic Performance
They were performed at the historic Leipzig church in the eastern German municipality, where the composer is interred and where he was employed as a church musician for 27 years.
The compositions were executed by organist from the Netherlands the musical performer, who said he was privileged to be able to play them for the initial performance in three hundred twenty years.
He said the pieces were "remarkably sophisticated" and would be "a valuable resource for modern musicians, as they are also appropriate for smaller organs".
Historical Significance
They are thought to have been created early in Bach's career, when he was working as an music instructor in the municipality of the Thuringian town in central Germany.
The researcher, who is now the director of the musical archive in the municipality, said they exhibited several features particular to the musical genius.
"In terms of style, the compositions also contain elements that can be identified in Bach's compositions from this period, but not in those of other musicians," he said.
They are believed to have been written down in 1705 by one of Bach's pupils, the historical figure.
At a unveiling of the pieces, the expert said he was "almost completely confident that the composer had written the pair of works" and they have now been added into the recognized inventory of his works.
- European Arts
- Germany
- Classical music
- Musical Arts