Two long-lost organ pieces composed by Johann Sebastian Bach during his teenage years have been rediscovered and performed for the first time in 300 years in Germany. The pieces, titled Chaconne in D minor BWV 1178 and Chaconne in G minor BWV 1179, were added to the official catalogue of Bach’s works and played publicly at St Thomas Church in Leipzig, where Bach is buried.
Researchers initially found the anonymous and undated works in the Royal Library of Belgium in 1992. However, it took decades to authenticate Bach as the composer. Peter Wollny, director of the Bach Archive in Leipzig, pieced together evidence, but identifying the copyist proved difficult.
The breakthrough came when Bernd Koska discovered a letter from 1729 with handwriting similar to that of Salomon Günther John, a former Bach pupil. Recently, researchers found an earlier court document written by John with matching handwriting, confirming he wrote the score under Bach's supervision in 1705.
"I searched for a long time for the missing piece of the puzzle to identify the compositions – now the whole picture is clear,” said Wollny. "I am 99.99% certain that Bach composed both of these works."
The Significance of the Discovery
The rediscovery is considered a major event in the world of classical music. The Culture Minister Wolfram Weimer hailed the discovery as a "global sensation" and a "great moment for the world of music".
What are Chaconnes?
The pieces are chaconnes, a musical form characterized by a series of variations over a repeating bass line. This form allows for intricate and expressive compositions, showcasing Bach's early mastery.
- Chaconne in D minor BWV 1178
- Chaconne in G minor BWV 1179