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Previously unknown organ compositions by the musical genius Bach have been presented and performed in the central European country for the initial occasion in 320 years.

The nation's Minister of Culture Wolfram Weimer described the finding of the two compositions a "great moment for the global music scene".

They originally drew interest of Peter Wollny in the early nineties when he was documenting historical musical documents at the Belgian royal collection.

The musical compositions - the Chaconne in D minor and Chaconne in G minor - were undated and unsigned. Mr Wollny spent the following three decades working to verify the origin of the pieces.

Memorable Concert

They were presented at the St Thomas Church in the eastern German municipality, where Bach is buried and where he served as a music director for 27 years.

The compositions were played by Dutch musician the renowned organist, who said he was privileged to be able to perform them for the first time in 320 years.

He said the pieces were "of a very high quality" and would be "a great asset for organists today, as they are also appropriate for smaller organs".

Historical Significance

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

The scholar, who is now the leader of the musical archive in the city, said they demonstrated several features distinctive to the artist.

"Musically, the works also include elements that can be observed in Bach's works from that time, but not in those of any other composer," he said.

They are thought to have been transcribed in 1705 by Bach's apprentice, Salomon Günther John.

At a revealing of the compositions, Mr Wollny said he was "almost completely confident that Bach had created the two pieces" and they have now been incorporated into the authoritative listing of his musical output.