A new piece of music believed to be by Polish composer Frederic Chopin has been discovered almost 200 years after it was written.
Polish composer Frederic Chopin PHOTO: ARCHIVE
The unknown waltz was unearthed in the vault of the Morgan Library and Museum in New York.
The rare manuscript, dated between 1830 and 1835, was discovered by curator Robinson McClellan while cataloging the new collections. He then collaborated with an important Chopin expert to authenticate the score.
This is not signed by Chopin, but the handwriting includes his characteristic bass clef.
The waltz has minor errors in rhythm and notation, but McClellan stated that he was certain that Chopin was behind it.
“What we are more certain of is that it is written by Chopin’s hand, on paper that he himself wrote with his own hand. I’m 98% sure, and many people who have listened to it already feel within themselves that it sounds like Chopin”said McClellan, for the BBC.
The superb pianist Lang Lang recorded the waltz for the New York Times, which published the story.
Chopin, who wrote mostly piano solos, died aged 39 in France in 1849.
Spanish researchers believe that during his relatively short life he was haunted by hallucinations and probably suffered from epilepsy.