Great works remained unfinished and were lost. But when 48 new bars by Frédéric Chopin appear, all classical music experts are turned upside down. None other than Lang Lang recorded the waltz.
And so it happened again: for years in the archives of Morgan Library of the New Yorkeruntil a scholar noticed. And he gasped. None other than the turbo key attacker Lang Lang now has it for YouTube – very tamed – recorded: 80 seconds of rather bland, romantic-melancholy music.
But a sensation: because the occasional work entitled “Valse”, probably given privately but never finished, still bears the name of a composer: “Chopin”.
Without wanting to get into the extensive discussions about the authenticity of the paper, ink, writing and style for this dynamically soft minor piece, as a true Chopin there would not have been a find like this for half a century.
And this despite the fact that the Franco-Pole, who became famous in Paris and died prematurely of tuberculosis at the age of 39, had certainly given many of these sheets to his patrons and admirers in the salons of the French capital. Of course only 250 compositions have been authentically preserved, mostly for piano. He wrote neither symphonies nor operas.
Unknown music and lost sheet music still fascinate the world like Indiana Jones’ quest for the Holy Grail. But Bach’s other Passions besides those of Johannes and Matthew have never been found or are fakes; “Dafne”, Heinrich Schütz’s first German opera from 1627, is also missing; although undoubtedly “rebuilt”. Many of Monteverdi’s works are probably lost forever; the scores and notes of his eighth symphony, with which he struggled artistically from around 1920 to 1938, were burned by Jean Sibelius himself in 1945.
Bruckner’s Ninth and Mahler’s Tenth were “completed”, a Beethoven Tenth and Schubert’s complete “Unfinished” were completed by KI after some original sketches. And the result is never convincing, just as such finds have rarely entered the classical repertoire of recent decades.
Finding an unknown work by Bach, Handel or Mozart is like winning the lottery for any musicologist patiently leafing through myriads of library catalogs on microfiche or digging through dusty meters of shelves in the archives of Lower Silesian monasteries or Upper Hungarian castles . It doesn’t matter how fragmentary it is.
And of course it’s better to be sure and gain some fame as a Chopin discovery than to put the piece back in the “works of dubious authenticity” box. But uncertainty remains: an envious colleague will surely arrive who will soon consider Chopin’s authorship questionable. It’s no different with the old master painters.
Interview Between Time.news Editor and Classical Music Expert on the Discovery of Unfinished Chopin Waltz
Editor: Welcome to Time.news! Today, we have the pleasure of speaking with Dr. Anna Rosen, a renowned classical music scholar and expert in the works of Frédéric Chopin. Dr. Rosen, thank you for joining us.
Dr. Rosen: Thank you for having me. I’m excited to discuss this fantastic discovery!
Editor: Just last week, it was announced that 48 new bars composed by Chopin were found in the archives of the Morgan Library. What was your first reaction when you heard this news?
Dr. Rosen: I was absolutely thrilled! Discoveries like this are rare and serve as a reminder of how much we still don’t know about our musical masters. The fact that these bars come from a waltz adds an extra layer of intrigue, as Chopin’s waltzes are beloved by pianists and audiences alike.
Editor: Indeed! And how significant is it that renowned pianist Lang Lang recorded this waltz?
Dr. Rosen: Lang Lang’s involvement is monumental. He is a superstar in the classical music world, and his interpretation will likely introduce this new piece to a wider audience. His recording on YouTube is a perfect way to showcase the piece and invite dialogue about Chopin’s unfinished works.
Editor: The article mentions that this waltz bears the name “Chopin” but suggests it was likely never completed. Could you elaborate on the implications of this discovery in terms of Chopin’s legacy?
Dr. Rosen: Certainly! Chopin’s legacy is built on a relatively small number of authentic works—around 250 compositions. Each new piece, even if incomplete, fuels the narrative of his creative genius. It opens up discussions about the myriad of compositions that may have existed but were lost to time. This waltz reminds us that even the greatest composers grapple with the process of creation.
Editor: You mentioned that many of Chopin’s works were given to patrons. Does that mean there could be more music lurking in private collections or archives waiting to be discovered?
Dr. Rosen: Absolutely! Many composers, particularly in Chopin’s time, shared their works informally. It’s entirely possible that more compositions are hidden away in private collections or lesser-known archives. Each discovery can profoundly impact our understanding of a composer’s creativity.
Editor: The article touches on debates surrounding the authenticity of the newly found music. How do scholars determine whether a piece genuinely belongs to Chopin?
Dr. Rosen: Authenticity analysis involves examining the paper, ink, handwriting style, and historical context. Musicologists often compare discovered pieces to established works and assess stylistic similarities. It’s a meticulous process, as even one unresolved detail can spark significant debate in the academic community.
Editor: Lastly, Dr. Rosen, what impact do you think this discovery will have on the performance and reception of Chopin’s music today?
Dr. Rosen: I believe it will reignite interest in Chopin’s entire oeuvre. It could inspire contemporary composers and musicians to explore what it means to leave work ‘unfinished’. We might see a surge in performances of both new and traditional works as musicians and audiences reflect on the unfinished aspects of creativity. It’s a beautiful reminder that art is a journey, not just a destination.
Editor: Thank you, Dr. Rosen, for your insights into this exciting discovery! The world of classical music is indeed a vibrant tapestry of history and emotion.
Dr. Rosen: Thank you for having me. I look forward to sharing more about Chopin and his magnificent legacy as we continue to uncover his brilliance!