Long-Forgotten Johann Sebastian Bach Compositions Performed for First-Ever Performance in Over Three Centuries
Recently identified organ compositions by the musical genius Bach have been revealed and played in Germany for the initial occasion in over three centuries.
Germany's Culture Minister the cultural official called the discovery of the pair of works a "important event for the global music scene".
They first caught the attention of a musical scholar in the early nineties when he was documenting Bach manuscripts at the Brussels archive.
The organ pieces - the D minor Chaconne and G minor Chaconne - were undated and without attribution. Mr Wollny spent the next 30 years working to verify the authorship of the pieces.
Memorable Concert
They were performed at the Thomas Church in Leipzig, where Bach is buried and where he served as a cantor for over two decades.
The compositions were executed by Dutch musician the musical performer, who said he was honored to be able to play them for the initial performance in 320 years.
He said the works were "remarkably sophisticated" and would be "a great asset for modern musicians, as they are also appropriate for reduced-scale organs".
Historical Significance
They are believed to have been written at the beginning of Bach's professional life, when he was working as an organ instructor in the community of Arnstadt in Thuringia.
The scholar, who is now the head of the Bach Archive in the city, said they demonstrated several features distinctive to the artist.
"Musically, the compositions also include characteristics that can be observed in Bach's works from this period, but not in those of different artists," he said.
They are thought to have been transcribed in 1705 by Bach's apprentice, the historical figure.
At a unveiling of the pieces, Mr Wollny said he was "virtually certain that the composer had created the two compositions" and they have now been included into the official catalogue of his works.
- European Arts
- German Heritage
- Classical compositions
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