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Recently identified organ works by the renowned composer Bach have been revealed and performed in Germany for the premiere performance in 320 years.

The nation's Minister of Culture Wolfram Weimer labeled the finding of the two pieces a "great moment for the world of music".

They first caught the attention of Peter Wollny in 1992 when he was organizing Bach manuscripts at the Brussels archive.

The organ pieces - the D minor Chaconne and Chaconne in G minor - were dating unknown and without attribution. Mr Wollny spent the following three decades working to confirm the authorship of the pieces.

Memorable Concert

They were presented at the historic Leipzig church in the eastern German municipality, where Bach is buried and where he worked as a music director for over two decades.

The compositions were performed by Dutch organist Ton Koopman, who said he was honored to be able to perform them for the initial performance in over three centuries.

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

Musical Importance

They are thought to have been composed at the beginning of Bach's professional life, when he was working as an organ instructor in the town of Arnstadt in central Germany.

The scholar, who is now the leader of the Bach research center in the city, said they displayed several characteristics particular to the musical genius.

"In terms of style, the pieces also feature elements that can be identified in Bach's compositions from that era, but not in those of any other composer," he said.

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

At a unveiling of the pieces, Mr Wollny said he was "virtually certain that the composer had created the two compositions" and they have now been included into the official catalogue of his works.