Long-Forgotten Bach Pieces Presented for First Time in 320 Years
Previously unknown musical pieces by the renowned composer Bach have been revealed and executed in the central European country for the premiere performance in three hundred twenty years.
The nation's Cultural Affairs Minister the government representative labeled the unearthing of the pair of works a "important event for the world of music".
They originally drew interest of a Bach researcher in the early nineties when he was documenting the composer's papers at the Brussels archive.
The organ pieces - the D minor Chaconne and G minor composition - were undated and unsigned. Mr Wollny spent the subsequent thirty years working to verify the identity of the pieces.
Memorable Concert
They were played at the St Thomas Church in the German city, where the composer is buried and where he worked as a cantor for 27 years.
The two pieces were performed by Dutch musician the renowned organist, who said he was proud to be able to play them for the initial performance in three hundred twenty years.
He said the works were "exceptionally well-crafted" and would be "a valuable resource for modern musicians, as they are also suitable for smaller organs".
Historical Significance
They are believed to have been composed at the beginning of Bach's professional life, when he was employed as an music instructor in the community of the Thuringian town in Thuringia.
The scholar, who is now the leader of the Bach research center in Leipzig, said they demonstrated several qualities distinctive to the musical genius.
"Stylistically, the works also include characteristics that can be found in Bach's compositions from that era, but not in those of different artists," he said.
They are believed to have been transcribed in the early eighteenth century by one of Bach's pupils, the musical student.
At a presentation of the works, the expert said he was "99.99% sure that the composer had composed the pair of works" and they have now been included into the authoritative listing of his compositions.
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