Recently, the world of music was electrified by the discovery of a previously unknown waltz by Fryderyk Chopin. It was found in a New York museum, as reported by the "New York Times." This discovery is a real sensation, not only because of its historical value, but also its artistic and symbolic value.
History of discovery
The piece was found in 2019 in a private collection, in a New York library specializing in music manuscripts. The document was supposedly kept for decades in an archive belonging to the descendants of the 19th-century pianist, a contemporary of Chopin.
The collection included many other materials. According to the journal, the find was made by Robinson McClellan, a curator at the Morgan Library & Museum in Manhattan, while he was sorting through memorabilia from famous artists, such as postcards signed by Pablo Picasso and letters from Johannes Brahms and Pyotr Tchaikovsky. The waltz notation caught the eye because of the visible annotation "Chopin" in one of the manuscript's corners.
The curator, himself a composer, played the piece at home but had reservations because it was “unusually hectic.” So he sent a photo of the sheet music to Jeffrey Kallberg, a leading Chopin scholar at the University of Pennsylvania.
“My jaw dropped,” Kallberg said. “I was sure I had never seen anything like that before.”
Expert research
Experts took a close look at the document's authenticity, comparing its handwriting and compositional details with other Chopin manuscripts. After a thorough analysis of the paper, ink, handwriting style and music, the international team of musicologists concluded that it was indeed the work of the Polish master.
Coming across unknown works by Chopin is rare, as he was less prolific than other composers, the NYT emphasized.
Although the found piece in A minor constitutes a complete whole, it is shorter than Chopin's other waltzes, lasting only about 80 seconds.
The Morgan Library & Museum is certain, however, that this is an authentic Chopin piece. The paper and ink are those used by Chopin, and the bass clef is typical of his style.
“We are absolutely confident in our conclusions,” McClellan said. “Now it is time to put it out there for the world to make up their own minds.”
Characteristics of the Piece
The newly discovered waltz, provisionally called "New York Waltz", is about four minutes long and is in Chopin's typical ABA form with clear contrasts between the main part and the middle section. Characteristic features of Chopin's style, such as a flowing melodic line, refined harmony and subtle rhythmic accents, are clearly present here. However, unlike the most famous waltzes, such as "Waltz in D flat major, Op. 64, No. 1" (known as "Minute"), this new piece seems more intimate and melancholic, which may suggest that it was written in the context of the composer's personal experiences.
The "New York Waltz" by Chopin? (Source: Wikipedia)
Musicologists have noted unique details in the composition, such as the use of unusual modulations, which seem to foreshadow the later harmonic experiments characteristic of Chopin's late period. It is possible that the piece was written as a sketch or experiment, which could explain why it was not published during the composer's lifetime.
Historical Context
The manuscript is dated from 1840 to 1843, a period when Chopin lived in Paris and enjoyed his greatest recognition as a composer and pianist. It was also a time when his health began to deteriorate and his relationship with George Sand, the famous writer and his life partner, became increasingly complicated.
Some scholars speculate that the piece may have been a private gift to one of his students or friends. Such a practice was not uncommon at the time, and many of Chopin's works were written as a token of his intimacy with various members of his social circle, although in such a case, a personal dedication on the manuscript would be expected.
Significance of the Discovery
The discovery of the new waltz is of great importance to the world of music and culture. It enriches the catalogue of Chopin's works with a new, previously unknown piece, which is already a rarity. It allows for a deeper understanding of his work and compositional process. Secondly, the discovery of the manuscript in New York illustrates how widely dispersed the relics of European romantic culture are, which in turn shows how universal and timeless Chopin's influence was.
Musicians and teachers see new possibilities for interpretation in this piece. Each of Chopin's works is not only a musical notation, but also a kind of "score of emotions" that encourages the performer to personal interpretation. The New York Waltz, with its subtle melancholy and lyricism — if it survives the thorough vetting of specialists — will certainly become a new challenge for pianists who want to explore its hidden meanings.
Reactions from the Music Community
The news of the discovery was met with great enthusiasm in the music community. Many pianists, from beginners to world-class virtuosos, have already expressed their willingness to perform the piece in concerts. The organizers of the International Fryderyk Chopin Piano Competition in Warsaw have even suggested that the waltz could be included in the competition repertoire in the future.
Moreover, the discovery of the waltz aroused interest among the public and the media. Reports about the discovery appeared in many prestigious magazines and television programs, which is evidence of Chopin's continuing popularity around the world, but also of the very careful and secretive preparation of the announcement of this discovery.
The distinguished pianist Lang Lang, whose performance of the waltz can be heard on the NYT website, said that it sounds like Chopin to him. “It’s not the most complicated of Chopin’s music, but in terms of style it seems as authentic as you can imagine,” he said.
Controversy
Not everyone agrees with this conclusion, however. There are voices emphasizing the unusual features of the composition.
Artur Szklener, director of the Fryderyk Chopin National Institute, has doubts as to whether the manuscript is a reflection of a complete work, and therefore does not include it among Chopin's waltzes. He believes that the manuscript is rather a "sketch of the first musical idea" and "a trace of Chopin's activity in the piano environment" than a complete work. For this reason, it cannot be considered the composer's twentieth waltz.
Curator Robinson McClellan of the Morgan Library & Museum noted that the waltz contains minor rhythmic and notational errors that are unlikely to be consistent with Chopin’s otherwise perfect work. Nevertheless, he is confident of the manuscript’s authenticity, pointing to Chopin’s signature bass clef and the type of paper he often used.
Going further, however, Alan Walker, author of "Fryderyk Chopin — Life and Times", doubts the authenticity of the manuscript. He points out the sensationalism and mysterious dexterity bordering on insidiousness in the announcement of this alleged discovery, and lists five technical reasons why this find should not be referred to as the monumental work of a brilliant composer. For example, doubts are raised by the triple forte sign — a rarity in Chopin's works — at the very beginning of the piece, or the rhythmic structure atypical for a waltz, and other anomalies of this composition.
The Waltz in the Context of Chopin's Legacy
The newly discovered waltz seems to confirm how much more Chopin's archival legacy may still be hiding. The story of the discovery encourages further searches and research into unpublished works by other composers. This discovery also shows how important it is to preserve cultural heritage and properly store archival materials that may hide extraordinary treasures.
The newly discovered New York Waltz by Fryderyk Chopin is not only a musical sensation, but also a reminder of the extraordinary power of music, which can connect generations, continents and cultures. The discovery of this work is a testament to the undying relevance of Chopin's work and an inspiration for further research into his life and work. The values carried by this composer's music remain invariably important and inspiring for subsequent generations.
Let's hope this discovery doesn't prove to be the biggest source of embarrassment for the music world.
