The Mysterious Origin of a Famous Organ Masterpiece

One of the world’s most famous organ pieces might not have been written by Bach at all. Despite being a staple of his repertoire for centuries, scholars have spent decades debating whether another composer created it.

This iconic work has been tied to Johann Sebastian Bach for generations, but experts began questioning its authorship in 1981. Some musicologists argue the style is too experimental and unconventional for Bach’s typical methods. Others suggest it could be a transcription of a lost violin piece or the work of a student. Regardless of who wrote it, the dramatic sound remains a masterpiece of the Baroque era.