A previously unknown work by the master composer, Johann Sebastian Bach, was recently discovered in a poetry book after being nearly destroyed by a fire.

After the blaze at the Weimar Anna Amalia Library in Germany took place, researchers began conducting an inventory check amongst the surviving books when an Aria by German composer Johann Sebastian Bach was found. For those of us unfamiliar with the term Aria, Webster defines it as; "A solo vocal piece with instrumental accompaniment, as in an opera".

In the year 1713, Bach gave the book to the Duke of Weimar for his birthday. Historians were familiar with the document, which was mainly a compilation of poems by a local poet. However, experts were shocked when the hand written aria was discovered in the rear pages of the book. Apparently, the aria was written to accompany the poems in what may have been a short opera piece. Classical music historians hailed the finding as a major discovery because this Aria is one of the only surviving pieces that represent Bach's early period.

The Weimar Anna Amalia Library, which is home to largest Goethe collection in Germany, is currently in the process of reconstruction after nearly being destroyed by the fire. Funding for the project will be primarily dependent upon donations from the public. For information on how you can help with the restoration efforts, visit the web site at http://www.anna-amalia-library.com/spende.html