Long-Forgotten Bach Pieces Played for First Time in Three Centuries
Recently identified organ compositions by the musical genius Bach have been revealed and performed in the European nation for the premiere performance in 320 years.
Germany's Cultural Affairs Minister the government representative called the unearthing of the pair of works a "significant occasion for the global music scene".
They initially attracted notice of Peter Wollny in 1992 when he was organizing Bach manuscripts at the Belgian royal collection.
The organ works - the Chaconne in D minor and Chaconne in G minor - were without dates and without attribution. The researcher spent the following three decades working to authenticate the identity of the pieces.
Landmark Presentation
They were presented at the historic Leipzig church in the eastern German municipality, where the composer is laid to rest and where he worked as a music director for twenty-seven years.
The pair of works were performed by Dutch organist Ton Koopman, who said he was honored to be able to play them for the first time in over three centuries.
He said the pieces were "remarkably sophisticated" and would be "an important addition for contemporary organ players, as they are also well-suited for smaller organs".
Cultural Relevance
They are believed to have been composed at the beginning of Bach's professional life, when he was employed as an organ teacher in the municipality of the German town in Thuringia.
The researcher, who is now the head of the Bach research center in the city, said they displayed several characteristics distinctive to the composer.
"In terms of style, the compositions also feature elements that can be identified in Bach's works from that era, but not in those of other musicians," he said.
They are considered to have been transcribed in the early eighteenth century by one of Bach's pupils, the historical figure.
At a unveiling of the compositions, the expert said he was "almost completely confident that Bach had created the pair of works" and they have now been incorporated into the recognized inventory of his compositions.
- European Culture
- German Heritage
- Classical music
- Musical Arts