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Previously unknown organ works by the renowned composer Bach have been presented and played in Germany for the first time in over three centuries.

The nation's Culture Minister Wolfram Weimer labeled the unearthing of the two pieces a "important event for the musical community".

They originally drew interest of a Bach researcher in 1992 when he was organizing Bach manuscripts at the Brussels archive.

The organ works - the D minor Chaconne and Chaconne in G minor - were undated and without attribution. The scholar spent the following three decades working to confirm the origin of the pieces.

Historic Performance

They were performed at the historic Leipzig church in the eastern German municipality, where Bach is laid to rest and where he was employed as a music director for twenty-seven years.

The pair of works were executed by organist from the Netherlands Ton Koopman, who said he was proud to be able to present them for the first time in over three centuries.

He said the works were "remarkably sophisticated" and would be "a great asset for organists today, as they are also well-suited for more compact instruments".

Historical Significance

They are thought to have been written early in Bach's career, when he was working as an organ teacher in the community of Arnstadt in central Germany.

Mr Wollny, who is now the director of the Bach research center in the city, said they displayed several features unique to the musical genius.

"Stylistically, the pieces also feature characteristics that can be found in Bach's compositions from that era, but not in those of any other composer," he said.

They are considered to have been transcribed in 1705 by Bach's apprentice, the historical figure.

At a presentation of the pieces, the researcher said he was "virtually certain that the composer had created the pair of works" and they have now been added into the authoritative listing of his compositions.