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Previously unknown organ works by the musical genius Bach have been unveiled and performed in the European nation for the first time in 320 years.

Germany's Minister of Culture Wolfram Weimer described the finding of the two compositions a "significant occasion for the global music scene".

They originally drew interest of a Bach researcher in 1992 when he was cataloguing historical musical documents at the Belgian royal collection.

The organ pieces - the Chaconne composition in D minor and G minor composition - were without dates and without attribution. Mr Wollny spent the next 30 years working to authenticate the identity of the pieces.

Landmark Presentation

They were played at the St Thomas Church in the German city, where Bach is laid to rest and where he served as a church musician for 27 years.

The two pieces were executed by organist from the Netherlands the renowned organist, who said he was honored to be able to play them for the initial performance in over three centuries.

He said the works were "remarkably sophisticated" and would be "a valuable resource for modern musicians, as they are also well-suited for more compact instruments".

Cultural Relevance

They are thought to have been created early in Bach's career, when he was working as an music instructor in the municipality of Arnstadt in the German region.

Mr Wollny, who is now the director of the Bach Archive in the city, said they displayed several features distinctive to the artist.

"In terms of style, the pieces also include elements that can be observed in Bach's works from that era, but not in those of different artists," he said.

They are thought to have been recorded in 1705 by one of Bach's pupils, the historical figure.

At a revealing of the pieces, Mr Wollny said he was "almost completely confident that the composer had composed the two pieces" and they have now been incorporated into the recognized inventory of his musical output.