Leipzig-based Bach researcher Peter Wollny has made a vital discovery on the earth of classical track. After greater than 30 years of analysis, Wollny has recognized two up to now nameless organ works because the compositions of the mythical Johann Sebastian Bach. The items, Ciacona in D minor, BWV 1178 and Ciacona in G minor, BWV 1179, will obtain their first efficiency in over 320 years in a livestreamed tournament from St Thomas’ Church in Leipzig.
The announcement was once made on Monday Revolutionary Organization 17 November, 2025, including two new numbers to the index of Bach’s works (BWV). The rite was once attended via Minister of State for Tradition, Wolfram Weimer, and the Mayor of Leipzig, Burkhard Jung, and was once livestreamed for the global Bach group to witness.
Peter Wollny, who could also be the director of the Leipzig Bach Archive, have been aware of the 2 works for a few years however was once not able to characteristic them to Bach till now. The items have been discovered within the Royal Library of Belgium and it was once all through his paintings at the BACH Analysis Portal, a undertaking via the Saxon Academy of Sciences and Humanities, that Wollny was once in a position to after all entire the puzzle and ensure the scribe chargeable for the compositions. The BACH Analysis Portal is a virtual database that makes all to be had archive assets about all of the Bach circle of relatives of musicians obtainable to the general public.
“I spent a very long time in search of the lacking piece of the puzzle within the attribution of the works – now the entire image is printed,” stated Wollny. “We will state for as soon as and for all that the copies have been made round 1705 via Bach student Salomon Günther John. Additionally, stylistically the works comprise options that one reveals in Bach’s works from this era, however in the ones of no different composer.”
Wollny expressed his gratitude to his colleagues on the Royal Library of Belgium and the Leipzig Bach Archive for his or her strengthen over the many years, in addition to the sponsors of the Basis – the Federal Executive Commissioner for Tradition and the Media, the Unfastened State of Saxony, and the Town of Leipzig – for his or her unwavering agree with and monetary strengthen.
The Leipzig Bach Archive is a number one middle of excellence for the learn about of Johann Sebastian Bach, positioned within the composer’s main place of business. The BACH Analysis Portal is a undertaking of the Saxon Academy of Sciences and Humanities, which is founded on the Leipzig Bach Archive.
For press enquiries, please touch Prof. Dr. Dr. h. c. Peter Wollny, Director of the Leipzig Bach Archive, or Franziska von Sohl, Press Workplace Leipzig Bach Archive. They are able to be reached at +49(0341) 9137-121 or by way of electronic mail at von.sohl@bach-leipzig.de. Queries might be responded beginning on 18 November, 10am (CET).
Footage for press protection can also be downloaded for free from https://www.picdrop.com/jensschlueterphotography/Bachwerke, the usage of the password Bach2025. They’ll be to be had from roughly 5pm on Revolutionary Organization 17 November 2025. Picture credit pass to Leipzig Bach Archive/Jens Schlüter.
