A new piece of music, thought to be composed by Polish virtuoso Frederic Chopin, has come to light almost 200 years after it was likely composed. This previously unknown waltz was identified in the vaults of the Morgan Library and Museum in New York City during a cataloguing session led by curator Robinson McClellan.
The rare manuscript, which dates back to between 1830 and 1835, has sparked excitement among musicologists and classical music lovers. Even though the document is unsigned, its distinctive handwriting has similarities to Chopin's well-documented style, particularly noticeable in the bass clef notation. McClellan, after working with a prominent expert on Chopin's works to verify the piece, expressed his confidence that it bears the hallmark of the composer.
"What we're most certain about is it is written in the hand of Chopin, on paper he used himself," McClellan stated in an interview for BBC's Newshour. Despite uncertainties regarding whether the music was fully composed by Chopin, he expressed a high degree of certainty—about 98 percent—that the music resonates with the qualities associated with the composer.
While the waltz opens with surprising storminess—a departure from Chopin's usual style—the ensuing melody evokes a familiar, enchanting essence attributed to his work. To celebrate this discovery, renowned pianist Lang Lang has recorded the waltz, sharing the news via the New York Times, which initially broke the story to the public.
Chopin, who predominantly created piano solos, passed away at the young age of 39 in France in 1849. His life was marked by struggles with health issues and hallucinations, with scholars suggesting that he may have suffered from epilepsy. The rediscovered waltz adds another layer to the enigma surrounding Chopin and his musical legacy, providing a new avenue for exploration and appreciation of his artistry.
