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Previously unknown organ works by Johann Sebastian Bach have been presented and played in Germany for the premiere performance in over three centuries.

The nation's Cultural Affairs Minister Wolfram Weimer labeled the finding of the two pieces a "great moment for the musical community".

They originally drew interest of a musical scholar in 1992 when he was cataloguing historical musical documents at the Brussels archive.

The organ pieces - the Chaconne in D minor and Chaconne in G minor - were without dates and unsigned. The scholar spent the following three decades working to confirm the authorship of the pieces.

Memorable Concert

They were performed at the historic Leipzig church in the German city, where the composer is interred and where he served as a church musician for over two decades.

The pair of works were executed by organist from the Netherlands the renowned organist, who said he was honored to be able to present them for the initial performance in 320 years.

He said the compositions were "exceptionally well-crafted" and would be "an important addition for contemporary organ players, as they are also well-suited for more compact instruments".

Musical Importance

They are considered to have been composed early in Bach's career, when he was serving as an music instructor in the town of Arnstadt in central Germany.

The scholar, who is now the head of the Bach Archive in the municipality, said they demonstrated several qualities unique to the composer.

"In terms of style, the compositions also include characteristics that can be identified in the composer's creations from that era, but not in those of any other composer," he said.

They are considered to have been written down in 1705 by one of Bach's pupils, Salomon Günther John.

At a revealing of the pieces, the expert said he was "almost completely confident that Bach had written the two pieces" and they have now been included into the recognized inventory of his musical output.