A Chopin waltz was discovered in New York nearly 200 years later

A new piece of music believed to be by Polish composer Frederic Chopin has been discovered nearly 200 years after it was written.

An anonymous waltz was discovered in the basement of the Morgan Library and Museum in New York.

Museum curator Robinson McClellan discovered the rare manuscript, dating from 1830 to 1835, while cataloging the new collections.

He then worked with a leading Chopin expert to document the score.

It is not signed by Chopin, but the handwriting includes his distinctive clef.

The waltz contains minor errors in rhythm and notation, but Mr. MacLellan said he was sure Chopin was behind it.

He told BBC NewsHour: “What we are most certain of is that it is in Chopin's handwriting, a sheet of paper he wrote on himself by hand.”

“What is not entirely certain is that the music was composed by him.

“I'm about 98% sure, and many people who have heard it already feel in their guts that this sounds like Chopin.”

He continued: “There are unusual aspects to the music, and this kind of stormy opening is a bit surprising but not completely out of character.

“And then the melody for me is where you feel the quality of Chopin.”

Star pianist Lang Lang has I recorded a waltz For the New York Times, which broke the story.

Chopin, who mostly played piano solos, died at the age of 39 in France in 1849.

He was haunted by hallucinations during his relatively short life and may have suffered from epilepsy. Spanish researchers believe.