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Bach's Lost Organ Pieces Debut After 320 Years

11/21/2025

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Summary

Story summary

Two unknown organ pieces by Johann Sebastian Bach were performed for the first time in 320 years at St. Thomas Church in Leipzig.
The pieces, Chaconne in D minor BWV 1178 and Chaconne in G minor BWV 1179, were identified by Peter Wollny, a researcher, in 1992.
Wollny, director of the Bach Archive, expressed confidence that Bach composed the works, which were likely written down by a pupil in 1705.

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Story summary

Two unknown organ pieces by Johann Sebastian Bach were performed for the first time in 320 years at St. Thomas Church in Leipzig.
The pieces, Chaconne in D minor BWV 1178 and Chaconne in G minor BWV 1179, were identified by Peter Wollny, a researcher, in 1992.
Wollny, director of the Bach Archive, expressed confidence that Bach composed the works, which were likely written down by a pupil in 1705.