A newly discovered piece of music believed to be written by Frédéric Chopin was found in the vault of the Morgan Library and Museum in New York. The unknown waltz, dating back to between 1830 and 1835, was found on a card bearing the composer’s name. Curator Robinson McClellan discovered the score while cataloging new collections and, after authenticating it with a leading Chopin expert, believes it to be written in Chopin’s own hand. Though the piece is not signed by Chopin, its unique penmanship and characteristic doodling suggest the famous composer’s involvement.
Renowned pianist Lang Lang recorded the waltz for the New York Times and described it as bearing the dramatic darkness and positive qualities typical of Chopin’s style. The museum believes the manuscript was written when Chopin was in his early 20s, and experts estimate Chopin wrote around 28 waltzes in his lifetime, with only a portion published before and after his death at the age of 39 in France in 1849.
The newly discovered waltz is said to be authentic to Chopin’s style, showcasing his talent as a composer of piano solos. Despite the significant number of waltzes attributed to Chopin, many remain lost or destroyed, making the discovery of this previously unknown piece a particularly valuable addition to his catalogue of works. The music community is excited about the find, with many expressing confidence in its attribution to Chopin based on its unique qualities and stylistic elements.
Photo credit
www.nbcnews.com