Lost melodies of Chopin
13 November 2024
A previously undiscovered waltz by the renowned Polish composer Chopin, famed for his mazurkas, nocturnes and waltzes, has been found. The last time an unknown piece of music by Chopin was discovered was nearly 100 years ago. The most recent discovery was stumbled upon in a New York library, scribbled on a small sheet of music. The waltz is described as sombre, with dissonant tones leading into a melancholic melody. According to the library, none of his known waltzes begins in this way.
The Polish-French composer was a child prodigy, playing for the Warsaw nobility and composing Polish dances. According to biographer Alan Walker, he composed the initial pieces of his Études Opus 10 at 19, unmatched by any music of his time. Chopin's deep connection to Poland endured throughout his life, and he made the request to his sister for his heart to be returned to Poland after his death. To this day, it rests in Warsaw's Holy Cross Church.
 | Miroslawa van der Boom Discovering unknown Chopin pieces is uncommon, as he was less active than many other composers. This scarcity also raises questions about the authenticity of the discovery. But the renowned pianist Lang Lang, who played the waltz for the New York Times, believes it genuinely sounds like Chopin. He told the newspaper it is "not the most complicated music by Chopin, but it is one of the most authentic Chopin styles that you can imagine." |
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