Two newly discovered compositions by Johann Sebastian Bach were presented in Leipzig's Thomaskirche. The short Ciaconas date from Bach's youth around 1705. Culture Minister Wolfram Weimer called the discovery a »world sensation«.
On Monday, two short works by Johann Sebastian Bach (1685-1750) were presented in Leipzig's Thomaskirche, his longtime workplace. They are the »Ciacona in d-Moll« and the »Ciacona in g-Moll«, likely composed by the 18-year-old Bach in early 18th-century Arnstadt as an organist.
Culture Minister Wolfram Weimer, unaffiliated, described the presentation in a short speech as a »world sensation« and spoke of »magic« and the »fire of our Western culture«. Dutch organist Ton Koopman, president of the Bach-Archiv Leipzig since 2019 and a Baroque music expert, performed the pieces on the church's organ with energy but sober seriousness.
The manuscripts were discovered over two decades ago by Bach-Archiv director Peter Wollny in Brussels' Royal Library. Wollny stated: »We can definitely say that the copies were made around 1705 by Bach's student Salomon Günther John. Stylistically, the works contain features found in Bach's compositions from that time, but in no other composer's.«
A Ciacona is originally a Spanish dance, known in German-speaking areas as Chaconne. The new works are shorter and less melancholic than Bach's famous 1720 Chaconne from the solo violin partita. They sound solemn, dignified, and melodically captivating, bringing listeners to rest.