Sensational find in Leipzig: Unknown Bach pieces discovered

After decades of research, the Bach Archive in Leipzig has identified two previously unattributed organ works as early works by Johann Sebastian Bach. Musicologist and archive director Peter Wollny assigned the two chaconnes in D minor and G minor to the then 18-year-old Bach - over 30 years after Wollny first discovered the works, as the archive announced. Their author had remained unknown for more than 320 years.

Now the pieces were performed in St. Thomas Church for the first time since their discovery. "I spent a long time looking for the missing piece of the puzzle to identify the compositions - now the whole picture has been revealed," said Wollny. He had already discovered the crucial manuscripts in the Royal Library in Brussels in the early 1990s. He immediately recognized from the handwriting features that they must come from "central Germany", presumably Thuringia.

Trace leads to little-known Bach pupil

This trace finally led him to a previously little-known Bach pupil, whose handwriting he was able to clearly identify. The works showed characteristics "that were found in Bach's works at that time, but in no other composer". His certainty is now "99.9 percent", said Wollny.

Minister of State for Culture Wolfram Weimer (non-party) spoke of an event of national importance: "It is a stroke of luck, a great moment for the world of music and it is a global sensation." Wollny had worked "almost like a detective in criminological detail". Bach is "a world star" whose music connects epochs and generations.

"The result of decades of wonderful research work"

Leipzig's Lord Mayor Burkhard Jung (SPD) was also moved: "I am simply happy today." The discovery is "a wonderful result of decades of wonderful research work". "This research strengthens Leipzig's international appeal and deepens our understanding of a composer who has shaped music history like no other," Jung emphasized.

The Dutch organist Ton Koopman played the first performance of the two works, which last around 14 minutes. Another performance is planned for Saturday in the motet of Leipzig's St. Thomas Church. The edition was published on Monday by Leipzig-based publisher Breitkopf & Härtel.