Long-Forgotten Bach Pieces Performed for First Time in Over Three Centuries
Newly discovered organ compositions by the musical genius Bach have been revealed and executed in the European nation for the initial occasion in three hundred twenty years.
The nation's Culture Minister Wolfram Weimer called the finding of the two compositions a "important event for the world of music".
They initially attracted notice of a Bach researcher in 1992 when he was documenting the composer's papers at the Royal Library of Belgium.
The musical compositions - the Chaconne in D minor and G minor Chaconne - were dating unknown and unsigned. The scholar spent the subsequent thirty years working to authenticate the origin of the pieces.
Historic Performance
They were presented at the Thomas Church in the German city, where Bach is buried and where he served as a music director for twenty-seven years.
The compositions were played by organist from the Netherlands the musical performer, who said he was privileged to be able to play them for the premiere in 320 years.
He said the works were "of a very high quality" and would be "an important addition for contemporary organ players, as they are also appropriate for reduced-scale organs".
Historical Significance
They are believed to have been created during Bach's formative years, when he was employed as an music instructor in the town of the German town in the German region.
The researcher, who is now the director of the Bach research center in the municipality, said they demonstrated several features particular to the artist.
"Musically, the pieces also feature characteristics that can be observed in Bach's compositions from that time, but not in those of other musicians," he said.
They are believed to have been transcribed in the early eighteenth century by one of Bach's pupils, the historical figure.
At a unveiling of the works, the researcher said he was "almost completely confident that the composer had created the two compositions" and they have now been included into the official catalogue of his works.
- Europe
- German Heritage
- Classical compositions
- Musical Arts