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Previously unknown musical pieces by Johann Sebastian Bach have been presented and played in the central European country for the initial occasion in over three centuries.

Germany's Minister of Culture the government representative labeled the finding of the two compositions a "important event for the world of music".

They first caught the attention of a Bach researcher in 1992 when he was cataloguing historical musical documents at the Belgian royal collection.

The musical compositions - the D minor Chaconne and G minor Chaconne - were without dates and without attribution. Mr Wollny spent the next 30 years working to authenticate the origin of the pieces.

Landmark Presentation

They were played at the Thomas Church in Leipzig, where the composer is buried and where he served as a church musician for 27 years.

The two pieces were performed by organist from the Netherlands the renowned organist, who said he was proud to be able to perform them for the premiere in over three centuries.

He said the pieces were "remarkably sophisticated" and would be "a valuable resource for modern musicians, as they are also well-suited for more compact instruments".

Musical Importance

They are believed to have been created at the beginning of Bach's professional life, when he was serving as an organ instructor in the municipality of the Thuringian town in the German region.

The researcher, who is now the director of the Bach research center in Leipzig, said they demonstrated several characteristics unique to the musical genius.

"In terms of style, the works also contain aspects that can be found in Bach's works from this period, but not in those of other musicians," he said.

They are thought to have been recorded in the early eighteenth century by Bach's apprentice, Salomon Günther John.

At a presentation of the pieces, Mr Wollny said he was "virtually certain that the composer had composed the two pieces" and they have now been incorporated into the official catalogue of his compositions.