The classical music world is abuzz with excitement following the discovery of a previously unknown waltz by Frédéric Chopin.
This remarkable find, hidden for nearly two centuries, was recently unveiled by the Morgan Library & Museum in Manhattan.
Here's everything we know so far about this thrilling rediscovery, including the details of its finding, analysis, and significance.
Discovering the first unknown Chopin work in over 50 years
The manuscript was found last spring by Robinson McClellan, a curator at the Morgan Library & Museum, while sorting through a collection of cultural memorabilia.
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The collection, which had belonged to A. Sherrill Whiton Jr., an interior designer and classical music lover, had gone uncatalogued for years. The manuscript was part of a broader collection containing postcards signed by Picasso and letters from composers like Brahms and Tchaikovsky.
The discovery was initially met with skepticism, but after a thorough examination by experts, including Jeffrey Kallberg, a renowned Chopin scholar at UPenn, the manuscript was deemed authentic. Tests confirmed that the ink, paper, and penmanship matched those found in other Chopin works from the early 1830s.
The waltz, believed to have been composed between 1830 and 1835, bears distinctive features.
Despite being only 48 measures long, it features a number of peculiarities and a truly tumultuous emotional affect. The music opens with an intense triple forte marking—an unusual choice that has sparked debate among scholars.
Written in A minor, the piece showcases an extreme dynamic range with highly deliberate markings, implying that this was not just a throwaway work and that Chopin did in fact intend for this piece to be performed.
Click here to read the unveiling article from the NY Times, featuring a premiere performance by Lang Lang.
Conclusion
The discovery is monumental, as Chopin, despite his fame, left behind a relatively small body of work—approximately 250 pieces, almost all for solo piano.
The addition of a new waltz not only enriches the repertoire but also offers fresh insights into the young Chopin’s creative process during a formative period of his career, shortly after his departure from Poland.
The manuscript is now available for public viewing at the Morgan Library & Museum, and the waltz has been released online for enthusiasts worldwide to explore and interpret. The find encourages further research into untapped collections and raises the possibility that more unknown works by the Romantic-era master might still be waiting to be discovered.
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