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Recently identified organ works by the musical genius Bach have been revealed and played in Germany for the premiere performance in over three centuries.

Germany's Culture Minister the cultural official labeled the finding of the pair of works a "important event for the world of music".

They initially attracted notice of a musical scholar in 1992 when he was organizing Bach manuscripts at the Royal Library of Belgium.

The musical compositions - the D minor Chaconne and Chaconne in G minor - were undated and anonymous. Mr Wollny spent the subsequent thirty years working to authenticate the identity of the pieces.

Landmark Presentation

They were performed at the St Thomas Church in Leipzig, where Bach is interred and where he served as a music director for twenty-seven years.

The two pieces were played by Dutch organist the musical performer, who said he was proud to be able to play them for the first time in over three centuries.

He said the pieces were "remarkably sophisticated" and would be "a great asset for contemporary organ players, as they are also suitable for smaller organs".

Cultural Relevance

They are considered to have been composed during Bach's formative years, when he was serving as an music instructor in the community of Arnstadt in central Germany.

Mr Wollny, who is now the director of the Bach Archive in Leipzig, said they exhibited several qualities particular to the composer.

"Stylistically, the works also contain elements that can be found in Bach's works from that time, but not in those of different artists," he said.

They are considered to have been transcribed in 1705 by one of Bach's pupils, the musical student.

At a unveiling of the works, Mr Wollny said he was "99.99% sure that Bach had created the two compositions" and they have now been incorporated into the recognized inventory of his compositions.