Lost Bach Works Performed for First-Ever Performance in Over Three Centuries
Recently identified organ compositions by the musical genius Bach have been revealed and performed in Germany for the premiere performance in over three centuries.
The country's Minister of Culture the cultural official described the finding of the pair of works a "important event for the musical community".
They initially attracted notice of a musical scholar in 1992 when he was documenting the composer's papers at the Belgian royal collection.
The musical compositions - the D minor Chaconne and Chaconne in G minor - were undated and unsigned. The researcher spent the subsequent thirty years working to verify the origin of the pieces.
Historic Performance
They were played at the historic Leipzig church in the German city, where Bach is interred and where he served as a music director for 27 years.
The two pieces were executed by Dutch organist the musical performer, who said he was honored to be able to perform them for the first time in 320 years.
He said the compositions were "remarkably sophisticated" and would be "a great asset for modern musicians, as they are also well-suited for more compact instruments".
Cultural Relevance
They are thought to have been composed early in Bach's career, when he was employed as an organ teacher in the municipality of the Thuringian town in the German region.
The researcher, who is now the leader of the musical archive in Leipzig, said they displayed several qualities unique to the artist.
"In terms of style, the pieces also include elements that can be identified in Bach's works from that time, but not in those of other musicians," he said.
They are believed to have been written down in 1705 by Bach's apprentice, Salomon Günther John.
At a unveiling of the pieces, the expert said he was "virtually certain that Bach had created the two compositions" and they have now been included into the recognized inventory of his compositions.
- European Arts
- German Heritage
- Classical music
- Performance Arts