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Previously unknown organ compositions by the renowned composer Bach have been revealed and executed in the central European country for the premiere performance in three hundred twenty years.

The nation's Culture Minister Wolfram Weimer described the unearthing of the two compositions a "important event for the world of music".

They originally drew interest of Peter Wollny in 1992 when he was cataloguing Bach manuscripts at the Belgian royal collection.

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

Landmark Presentation

They were performed at the historic Leipzig church in the German city, where Bach is buried and where he was employed as a cantor for 27 years.

The compositions were performed by Dutch organist Ton Koopman, who said he was proud to be able to perform them for the initial performance in 320 years.

He said the pieces were "remarkably sophisticated" and would be "a valuable resource for contemporary organ players, as they are also well-suited for smaller organs".

Historical Significance

They are thought to have been written during Bach's formative years, when he was working as an organ teacher in the community of the German town in Thuringia.

The scholar, who is now the head of the musical archive in the municipality, said they exhibited several characteristics particular to the composer.

"In terms of style, the works also contain characteristics that can be observed in Bach's compositions from that era, but not in those of other musicians," he said.

They are believed to have been transcribed in the early eighteenth century by one of Bach's pupils, Salomon Günther John.

At a presentation of the pieces, Mr Wollny said he was "virtually certain that Bach had composed the two compositions" and they have now been included into the recognized inventory of his works.