New York Concert Premiere of Newly Attributed Bach Works

The Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center recently hosted a notable concert at Alice Tully Hall, featuring the New York premiere of two works attributed to Johann Sebastian Bach. This event marked a significant moment in classical music, as the pieces, the Ciacona and Fuga in D minor and the Ciacona in G minor, were only attributed to Bach a month prior, following a discovery by musicologist Peter Wollny. Wollny unearthed these compositions in a Brussels archive in 1992 and spent nearly three decades gathering evidence to trace their origins to a pupil of Bach’s around 1705.

New York Times

The attribution of these works to Bach was celebrated at a ceremony that underscored the importance of scholarly research in classical music. The discovery not only adds to Bach's extensive repertoire but also highlights the ongoing efforts of musicologists to recover and authenticate historical compositions. The pieces were performed by organist Paolo Bordignon, who brought them to life on the Alice Tully organ, showcasing their architectural clarity and elegant variations built on repeating bass lines.

New York Times

While the works exhibit Bach's signature style, they have been described as lovely yet not groundbreaking. The compositions reflect a stately elegance reminiscent of Dieterich Buxtehude, a composer whom Bach greatly admired. The fugue within the D minor chaconne is noted as an original element, reflecting Bach's fascination with musical puzzles. The return of the chaconne theme after the fugue's rhythmic complexity provides a satisfying resolution, demonstrating Bach's mastery in intertwining melodic strands.

New York Times

Despite the excitement surrounding the premiere, some critics suggest that the pieces may not have warranted such a grand stage as Alice Tully Hall. The sentiment expressed is that the works, while charming, lack the earth-shattering impact typically associated with Bach's most celebrated compositions. This perspective raises questions about the criteria used for presenting newly attributed works in prestigious venues.

New York Times

The Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center expressed pride in presenting these newly attributed works, emphasizing the importance of historical music research. The society's decision to premiere the pieces in a prominent venue reflects a commitment to celebrating classical music's rich heritage.

New York Times

• “The musicologistPeter Wollny discoveredthe Ciacona and Fuga in D minor and the Ciacona in G minor in 1992 in a Brussels archive, and then spent the next three decades gathering evidence that traced the anonymous manuscript to a pupil of Bach’s in Arnstadt around 1705.” — New York Times

New York Times

This concert not only highlights the ongoing exploration of Bach's legacy but also invites further discussion on the significance of newly attributed works in the classical music canon.

New York Times