Previously Unknown Chopin Waltz Identified at New York’s Morgan Library

A 200-year-old musical score believed to be composed by Frédéric Chopin has been discovered in the vault of New York’s Morgan Library and Museum.

While cataloguing new collections at the Morgn, curator Robinson McClellan came across a card with the Polish composer’s name and holding a waltz dating between 1830 and 1835, the New York Times reported. It was initially uncertain, however, if the piece was in fact written by Chopin, so the curator worked alongside leading Chopin expert Jeffrey Kallberg from the University of Pennsylvania to authenticate the score.

The manuscript’s paper and ink were tested under infrared and ultraviolet light, and the handwriting and musical style analyzed in consultation with outside experts. It was determined that the piece was written on machine-made wove paper using iron gall ink dating back to the 19th century. 

Despite some peculiarities, the penmanship matched what is known of Chopin’s writing, including a distinctive bass clef and writing of the word “Valse” (or “Waltz” in English), as well as his notably small penmanship. Though the work is thought to be complete, it is shorter than Chopin’s known waltzes, with only 48 measures and an 80 second repeat. Set in A minor, the piece also has unusual dynamic markings, including a triple forte for maximum volume at the beginning.

“There are atypical aspects of the music, the kind of stormy opening is a little surprising but not entirely out of character,” McClellan told the BBC. “And then the melody really to me is where you feel that Chopin quality.”

World-renown Chinese pianist Lang Lang recorded the waltz for the New York Times, for those eager to listen.

Chopin was the child of a French father and Polish mother, born near Warsaw in 1810. The beloved Romantic era composer is known for primarily writing piano solos. His life was cut short, however, at age 39 in 1849, after succumbing to tuberculosis. In his lifetime, he is known to have composed 250 works. This latest one would have been written when he was in his early 20s.

While experts believe Chopin wrote as many as 28 waltzes, only nine have been realized, with the rest having been lost or destroyed, making a newly discovered piece by Chopin incredibly rare.

The unsigned waltz was never formally recognized by Chopin—remaining unpublished and out of public view. Little is known about its provenance and eventual acquisition by A. Sherrill Whiton Jr., a director of the New York School of Interior Design. From there, however, close friend Arthur Satz purchased the piece from Whiton’s wife Jean and donated it to the Morgan in 2019. It remained uncataloged for five years as a result of the coronavirus pandemic.