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Previously unknown organ compositions by the musical genius Bach have been unveiled and executed in the central European country for the initial occasion in 320 years.

The nation's Minister of Culture Wolfram Weimer labeled the finding of the pair of works a "important event for the musical community".

They first caught the attention of Peter Wollny in 1992 when he was organizing historical musical documents at the Royal Library of Belgium.

The organ works - the Chaconne in D minor and Chaconne in G minor - were without dates and unsigned. Mr Wollny spent the subsequent thirty years working to authenticate the authorship of the pieces.

Landmark Presentation

They were played at the Thomas Church in the eastern German municipality, where Bach is buried and where he served as a church musician for over two decades.

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

He said the pieces were "exceptionally well-crafted" and would be "an important addition for modern musicians, as they are also appropriate for reduced-scale organs".

Historical Significance

They are considered to have been composed at the beginning of Bach's professional life, when he was serving as an music instructor in the municipality of the German town in central Germany.

Mr Wollny, who is now the leader of the Bach research center in Leipzig, said they displayed several characteristics unique to the artist.

"In terms of style, the pieces also include aspects that can be found in Bach's works from that time, but not in those of different artists," he said.

They are thought to have been transcribed in 1705 by a student of Bach, the historical figure.

At a revealing of the compositions, Mr Wollny said he was "99.99% sure that the composer had composed the pair of works" and they have now been included into the official catalogue of his musical output.