Bach's lost masterpiece: Chaconne in D minor, BWV 1178 | Ton Koopman (organ)

The recently uncovered piece, identified as a chaconne by Johann Sebastian Bach, is lively and playful. Peter Wollny, director of the Leipzig Bach Archive, has known about the Chaconne in D minor and the Chaconne in G minor for over 30 years. They are part of the Royal Library of Belgium's collection and are copies made by a previously unidentified writer of a hitherto anonymous composer.

There were many musical elements that pointed to Bach. For example, the melody in the accompanying bass often surfaces abruptly in the higher registers, and the use of intricate fugues is notable. Wollny points out that these characteristics are distinctive of Bach's style. Identifying the composer was like solving a giant jigsaw puzzle, with the final piece found in 2025. Wollny successfully identified the writer of the notes based on the characteristics of the handwriting.
The writer was Salomon Günther John (*1695), an organ student of Bach's who had access to his music collection and transcribed the scores.

The Chaconne in D minor, BWV 1178 is an authentic early work by Bach, showcasing the maturity of his compositions at the young age of 18 to 20.

Ton Koopman — Dutch conductor, organist, harpsichordist and university lecturer — is a leading interpreter of early music, specialized in historically informed performances. He founded his Amsterdam Baroque Orchestra in 1979, extending with a choir in 1992. The ensemble consists of internationally renowned specialists in early music. The musicians' instruments are either originals pieces or replicas, so their interpretations of Baroque music sound as true to the period as possible.
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