Recently found: Chopin Waltz
The short piece surprises with dissonances and is reminiscent of a mazurka.
The news went through the world press. In the spring of 2024, the Morgan Library & Museum in New York made an extraordinary discovery while sifting through an estate: a previously unknown waltz in A minor, written by Chopin himself. And "most likely composed by himself".
The Henle publishing house did not hesitate for long and has now published the short piece together with a facsimile in the original size. It is astonishing to discover that the autograph is obviously only the size of a postcard! An extensive afterword by editor Jeffrey Kallberg traces the origins of this astonishing find and comes to the conclusion that this manuscript was originally intended as a gift. Chopin occasionally delighted his acquaintances with such gifts.
A few oddities are noticeable when playing through. The first bars sound anything but inviting. Harsh dissonances already lead to an almost brutal outburst in triple forte in the 7th bar (rare in Chopin). The actual waltz then begins, although it has more the characteristics of a mazurka. Strangely, the composer writes a 16th-note triplet three times here, which should actually be notated in quavers. An oversight? And the dissonances from the beginning echo again and again. This is also the case at the end of the waltz in bar 24. If there were a dacapo, it could therefore be extended into an endless round dance, because the beginning and end are so closely linked.
If the short piece was indeed intended as a dedication, this gift certainly had a bittersweet note. Perhaps this is an indication of Chopin's authorship?
A word about the fingerings for which Lang Lang is responsible. It is not exactly a sign of great care when absolutely identical passages (such as bars 2 and 4) are marked with different numbers. Other indications (such as for the cadenza at the end) are also surprising. The publisher should have kept a closer eye on the famous virtuoso ...
Frédéric Chopin: Waltz in A minor with facsimile, edited by Jeffrey Kallberg, HN 1303, € 10.00, G. Henle, Munich
