In a stunning discovery, a curator at the Morgan Library & Museum in New York City has uncovered a previously unknown waltz composed by the legendary Frédéric Chopin. This discovery represents the first new work by the Polish master in nearly a century.
The Chance Discovery
In 2019, curator Robinson McClellan first noticed the waltz on a small manuscript measuring just 4 inches by 5 inches while cataloging recent acquisitions. McClellan immediately recognized the significance of his find but knew he would need expert assistance to authenticate the piece.
“He found it peculiar that he could not think of any waltzes by Chopin that matched the measures on the page,” stated a press release from the museum. Suspecting this could be a lost work by the virtuoso composer, McClellan reached out to renowned Chopin scholar Jeffrey Kallberg at the University of Pennsylvania for help.
Authenticating The discovery
Kallberg’s examination of the manuscript revealed several clues pointing to Chopin’s authorship. The penmanship, paper, and ink all matched the materials Chopin was known to use in the 1830s, when he likely composed the piece. Additionally, Chopin’s characteristic fingerings and dynamic markings in the score indicated his intended performance.
“Extensive research points to the strong likelihood that the piece is by Chopin,” the museum stated. Kallberg agreed, saying the work “really does sound like the sort of thing Chopin would have done and very much shows signs of his compositional mastery.”
A Unique And Fleeting Work
This newly discovered waltz offers a rare glimpse into Chopin’s creative process. At just 48 measures and lasting around 80 seconds, the piece is shorter than any of Chopin’s other known waltzes. However, museum officials describe it as a “complete work” that exemplifies Chopin’s signature “tightness” and style.
Pianist Lang Lang, who recorded the waltz for the New York Times, noted the piece’s “stormy” and “unsettling” opening, which he felt evoked harsh Polish winters. Yet, Lang added, “it is one of the most authentic Chopin styles that you can imagine.”
A Momentous Find
The discovery of an unknown Chopin composition is an exceptionally rare occurrence, with the last such find dating back to the late 1930s. Colin B. Bailey, director of the Morgan Library & Museum, expressed the institution’s excitement, stating: “To hear this work for the first time will be an exciting moment for everyone in the world of classical piano.”
This waltz not only expands our understanding of Chopin’s creative output but also offers new avenues for scholars to explore the composer’s life and inspirations. As the musical world eagerly awaits the opportunity to hear this lost treasure, the Morgan Library & Museum prepares to share this remarkable discovery with the public.
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