The Morgan Library and Museum in New York has revealed a previously unknown waltz believed to be penned by Frederic Chopin, adding depth to the composer's legacy. Curator Robinson McClellan discovered the manuscript while cataloging collections, and it's now in the process of being authenticated.
Unearthed Waltz: A Lost Composition by Chopin Discovered After Nearly Two Centuries
Unearthed Waltz: A Lost Composition by Chopin Discovered After Nearly Two Centuries
A rare manuscript from the renowned Polish composer Frederic Chopin has been found, shedding light on an unknown waltz dating back to the 1830s.
A remarkable find has emerged from the archives of the Morgan Library and Museum in New York, where a previously unknown waltz attributed to the legendary Polish composer Frederic Chopin has been discovered. The waltz, dated between 1830 and 1835, appears to offer a new glimpse into the creative prowess of one of classical music's great figures.
Curator Robinson McClellan stumbled upon the rare manuscript while meticulously cataloging new collections within the institution. Working in collaboration with a leading Chopin expert, McClellan aimed to authenticate the score, which, while unsigned, features a handwriting style identifiable as Chopin's, especially noted for its distinctive bass clef.
Though the manuscript contains some minor errors in rhythm and notation, McClellan expressed a high level of confidence in its attribution to Chopin. "What we're most certain about is it is written in the hand of Chopin, paper that he wrote on himself in his own hand," he stated during an interview with BBC's Newshour. While he hesitated to claim certainty about the composition itself, his intuition and that of others indicates that the music feels distinctly Chopin.
The newly discovered waltz exhibits an atypical stormy opening, surprising experts but retaining characteristics reminiscent of Chopin's style, particularly evident in the melody. Renowned pianist Lang Lang has already recorded this composition, providing a modern rendition to the public through a feature in the New York Times.
Chopin, known for his predominantly solo piano works, passed away at the young age of 39 in France in 1849. Throughout his tumultuous life, he battled personal demons, likely stemming from medical issues like epilepsy, which Spanish researchers now suspect he had. The unearthing of this previously lost waltz promises to add a new chapter to the narrative of Chopin's artistic journey and celebrates the legacy of a composer whose influence continues to resonate through time.
