"Chopin's New Waltz Discovered at New York Morgan Library After Nearly 200 Years"

According to the New York Times (NYT) on the 27th (local time), an unpublished waltz composed by Chopin about 200 years ago was belatedly discovered in the vault of the Morgan Library & Museum in New York.

[Image source=New York Times homepage capture, Morgan Library and Museum]

According to the report, curator Robinson McClellan discovered item number 147, a sheet music the size of an index card, while organizing the collection in the underground vault of the Morgan Library & Museum located in Manhattan, New York, last spring. The sheet music had Chopin's name written in cursive along with the word "Waltz."

Since McClellan was not sure if the sheet music was actually Chopin's work, he contacted Professor Jeffrey Kallberg of the University of Pennsylvania, a leading figure in Chopin research. Professor Kallberg said, "I was absolutely stunned," and "I have never seen such a piece." After ink and paper tests, handwriting and musical style analysis, and consultations with external experts, it was concluded that it is highly likely a waltz piece by Fr?d?ric Chopin, a representative composer of the Romantic era.

The sheet music confirmed by the Morgan Library is believed to have been written between 1830 and 1835, when Chopin was in his early twenties. The NYT noted some peculiarities about this piece, stating that it is shorter than Chopin's other waltzes, with a repeating length of about 80 seconds and only 48 measures. This piece in A minor begins with quiet dissonance and develops into intense chords.

However, the paper and ink were identical to those used by Chopin at the time, and the handwriting was also his. The unique notation of the bass notes was also confirmed as a characteristic of Chopin. This notation can be seen in other Chopin sheet music held by the Morgan Library. The sheet music also contained doodles left by Chopin, who enjoyed drawing in his spare time.

McClellan said, "We have complete confidence in the conclusion that this is Chopin's work," and added, "Now it is time for the world to examine it and offer opinions." Pianist Lang Lang, who performed Chopin's waltz for the NYT in Manhattan, agreed, saying, "It is one of the most authentic Chopin styles imaginable."

The NYT emphasized the significance by calling it "the first discovery in half a century." However, the outlet also noted that since there have been cases of forgery and alteration in the past, this discovery could lead to debates in the classical music field.

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