A previously unknown waltz believed to be composed by Frédéric Chopin has been discovered in the vault of the Morgan Library and Museum in New York. The music was found on a card bearing the Polish composer’s name and dates back to between 1830 and 1835. Curator Robinson McClellan initially doubted the piece’s authenticity but, after examining the penmanship and consulting with a Chopin expert, it was confirmed to be in Chopin’s hand. While the waltz is not signed by Chopin, the distinctive bass clef and doodling characteristic match the composer’s style.
Renowned pianist Lang Lang, who recorded the waltz, described it as typically Chopin with a dramatic darkness that transforms into something positive. The music is considered to be authentic to Chopin’s style, despite not being particularly complex. Chopin, born in 1810 in Poland, is known for his piano solos and was believed to have composed around 28 waltzes. However, only a portion of them were published during his lifetime, with many others lost or destroyed. The newly discovered waltz is thought to have been written when Chopin was in his early 20s, shedding light on a previously unknown piece of the composer’s work. Despite some uncertainty, experts and musicians have expressed confidence in the waltz’s attribution to Chopin based on its composition and style.
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