A hidden musical gem by Frédéric Chopin has been uncovered at the Morgan Library and Museum in New York, nearly two centuries after it was written. The rare, unpublished score was found by curator Robinson McClellan on a card inscribed with Chopin’s signature. Unsure of its origins, McClellan consulted with a Chopin expert at the University of Pennsylvania. The score was later authenticated by examining the ink, paper, and even Chopin’s distinctive handwriting.

The museum estimates that the music dates back to the early 1830s, with pianist Lang Lang describing the piece as “dramatic darkness turning into a positive thing.” Though unearthing genuine compositions is rare, this discovery offers fresh insight into the Polish composer’s early 20s and promises to inspire conversations across the classical music world.