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Previously unknown organ compositions by the musical genius Bach have been revealed and played in the central European country for the premiere performance in 320 years.

Germany's Minister of Culture the cultural official called the finding of the two pieces a "great moment for the world of music".

They first caught the attention of a musical scholar in the early nineties when he was organizing the composer's papers at the Brussels archive.

The organ pieces - the Chaconne composition in D minor and Chaconne in G minor - were undated and without attribution. The scholar spent the next 30 years working to verify the identity of the pieces.

Landmark Presentation

They were played at the St Thomas Church in Leipzig, where the composer is interred and where he was employed as a music director for over two decades.

The two pieces were performed by organist from the Netherlands the musical performer, who said he was proud to be able to present them for the first time in 320 years.

He said the compositions were "exceptionally well-crafted" and would be "a great asset for organists today, as they are also suitable for more compact instruments".

Cultural Relevance

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

The researcher, who is now the head of the musical archive in the municipality, said they displayed several qualities distinctive to the composer.

"Stylistically, the pieces also include elements that can be identified in the composer's creations from this period, 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 works, the researcher said he was "virtually certain that Bach had created the two pieces" and they have now been added into the authoritative listing of his musical output.