Curator Dr. Robinson McClellan uncovered a previouslyunknown waltz written in the hand of composer Frdric Chopin in The Morgan Library andMuseums collection. The discovery of an unknown work by Chopin has not happened since thelate 1930s. The Morgans manuscript consists of 24 notated measures that thecomposer asks the pianist to repeat once in their entirety. Chopin famously wrote in smallforms, but this work, lasting about one minute, is shorter than any other waltz by him. It isnevertheless a complete piece, showing the kind of tightness that we expect from a finishedwork by the composer. The beginning of the piece is most remarkable: several moody, dissonantmeasures culminate in a loud outburst, before a melancholy melody begins. None of his knownwaltzes start this way, making this one even more intriguing. The manuscript is only slightlylarger than an index card (about 4-by-5 inches); based on other similarly-sizedmanuscripts by Chopin, it is assumed that it was meant as a gift for inclusion in someonesautograph album. Chopin usually signed manuscripts that were gifts, but this one is unsigned,suggesting that he changed his mind and withheld it. To learn more, visit www.themorgan.org.