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Newly discovered organ works by Johann Sebastian Bach have been unveiled and executed in the European nation for the first time in three hundred twenty years.

Germany's Culture Minister Wolfram Weimer labeled the unearthing of the pair of works a "great moment for the world of music".

They first caught the attention of Peter Wollny in the early nineties when he was documenting Bach manuscripts at the Belgian royal collection.

The organ pieces - the Chaconne in D minor and Chaconne in G minor - were dating unknown and anonymous. The scholar spent the following three decades working to authenticate the identity of the pieces.

Landmark Presentation

They were presented at the Thomas Church in Leipzig, where Bach is laid to rest and where he was employed as a music director for over two decades.

The two pieces were performed by Dutch musician Ton Koopman, who said he was honored to be able to perform them for the premiere in three hundred twenty years.

He said the pieces were "exceptionally well-crafted" and would be "a great asset for organists today, as they are also appropriate for smaller organs".

Historical Significance

They are considered to have been written early in Bach's career, when he was serving as an organ instructor in the municipality of the Thuringian town in the German region.

The scholar, who is now the head of the Bach research center in the municipality, said they displayed several qualities unique to the musical genius.

"In terms of style, the works also include characteristics that can be found in Bach's compositions from that era, but not in those of different artists," he said.

They are believed to have been recorded in 1705 by one of Bach's pupils, the historical figure.

At a unveiling of the compositions, the researcher said he was "virtually certain that Bach had composed the two compositions" and they have now been incorporated into the recognized inventory of his compositions.