The Chopin waltz was rediscovered 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 unknown waltz was discovered in the vaults of the Morgan Library and Museum in New York.

The rare manuscript – dated between 1830 and 1835 – was discovered by curator Robinson McClellan when he was cataloging new collections.

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

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

The waltz has minor errors in rhythm and notation but Mr McClellan said he was sure Chopin was behind it.

“What we are most sure of is Chopin's handwriting, a paper that he wrote himself,” he told the BBC's News Hour.

“Not quite sure it was the music he composed.

“I'm about 98% sure, and a lot of people who have already heard it sound like Chopin in their guts.”

He continued: “There are atypical aspects to the music, the storm opening is a bit surprising but not entirely out of character.

“And then the melody is really to me where you feel that Chopin quality.”

There is superstar pianist Lang Lang Waltz recorded For The New York Times, which broke the story.

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

During his relatively short life he suffered from hallucinations and was probably epileptic, Spanish researchers believe.