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Previously unknown organ works by the musical genius Bach have been presented and played in the central European country for the premiere performance in over three centuries.

The country's Minister of Culture Wolfram Weimer called the unearthing of the pair of works a "significant occasion for the world of music".

They originally drew interest of Peter Wollny in 1992 when he was organizing the composer's papers at the Belgian royal collection.

The organ works - the Chaconne composition in D minor and G minor Chaconne - were undated and unsigned. The scholar spent the next 30 years working to verify the authorship of the pieces.

Memorable Concert

They were performed at the Thomas Church in Leipzig, where the composer is interred and where he was employed as a music director for twenty-seven years.

The pair of works were played by organist from the Netherlands Ton Koopman, who said he was privileged to be able to play them for the premiere in three hundred twenty years.

He said the compositions were "of a very high quality" and would be "an important addition for modern musicians, as they are also well-suited for more compact instruments".

Musical Importance

They are believed to have been composed early in Bach's career, when he was serving as an organ instructor in the municipality of the German town in central Germany.

The scholar, who is now the director of the musical archive in Leipzig, said they demonstrated several characteristics distinctive to the composer.

"Musically, the pieces also include aspects that can be observed in Bach's compositions from that time, but not in those of other musicians," he said.

They are believed to have been written down in 1705 by Bach's apprentice, Salomon Günther John.

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