A previously unknown waltz believed to be composed by Frédéric Chopin was discovered in the vault of the Morgan Library and Museum in New York. The piece was found on a card bearing Chopin’s name and dates back to between 1830 and 1835. The curator, Robinson McClellan, initially had doubts about its authenticity but after consulting with a Chopin expert from the University of Pennsylvania, they confirmed that it was indeed written by Chopin. While the piece is not signed by the composer, the handwriting and style matched his, including distinctive elements like his bass clef and doodling.
Renowned Chinese pianist Lang Lang, who recorded the waltz for the New York Times, described it as very much like Chopin with a blend of dramatic darkness and beauty. The piece is considered to be one of the most authentic examples of Chopin’s style, even though it is not one of his more complicated compositions. Chopin, who was born in 1810 to a French father and Polish mother, wrote mostly piano solos and is known for his romantic style. Experts believe he wrote around 28 waltzes during his lifetime, but only a fraction of them were published before and after his death in 1849.
This newly discovered waltz sheds light on a previously unknown piece of Chopin’s repertoire and adds to the understanding of his musical legacy.
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