Long-Forgotten Bach Works Played for First Time in Three Centuries

Historical organ composition
Bach is considered to have written the two organ pieces early in his career

Recently identified organ works by the musical genius Bach have been revealed and executed in the central European country for the first time in over three centuries.

The country's Cultural Affairs Minister Wolfram Weimer described the unearthing of the pair of works a "important event for the world of music".

They originally drew interest of a musical scholar in 1992 when he was cataloguing the composer's papers at the Brussels archive.

The organ works - the Chaconne in D minor and G minor Chaconne - were dating unknown and unsigned. The scholar spent the subsequent thirty years working to confirm the identity of the pieces.

Memorable Concert

They were performed at the historic Leipzig church in Leipzig, where the composer is buried and where he worked as a church musician for over two decades.

The pair of works were played by Dutch musician Ton Koopman, who said he was proud to be able to present them for the premiere in 320 years.

He said the pieces were "of a very high quality" and would be "a valuable resource for contemporary organ players, as they are also well-suited for smaller organs".

Historical Significance

They are believed to have been created early in Bach's career, when he was employed as an music instructor in the community of Arnstadt in Thuringia.

The researcher, who is now the director of the musical archive in the city, said they exhibited several characteristics particular to the composer.

"In terms of style, the works also contain characteristics that can be identified in Bach's compositions 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 a student of Bach, the musical student.

At a revealing of the pieces, the expert said he was "almost completely confident that the composer had composed the pair of works" and they have now been incorporated into the recognized inventory of his compositions.

Related Categories:
  • Europe
  • German Culture
  • Classical compositions
  • Musical Arts
Amy Becker
Amy Becker

A geopolitical analyst with over a decade of experience covering European and Middle Eastern affairs, based in Berlin.