What appears to be an authentic waltz by Frédéric Chopin has come to light. You can read more about it and hear it performed by Lang Lang, in this article in the New York Times.

“[Chopin] preferred the intimacy of salons, performing his works before audiences of royalty, bankers, artists and musicians – the ‘church of Chopin,’ as the composer Franz Liszt called the gatherings. In these settings, fans sometimes asked for small compositions, like waltzes, as gifts.

“Chopin obliged, occasionally presenting the same waltz to several people. He gave away manuscripts of the Waltz in F Minor on at least five occasions, each time to women. ‘Please keep it for yourself,’ he wrote to a recipient. ‘I should not like it to be made public.’”

PLAYAH!

Also, I want to know more about this amateur composer, A. Sherrill Whiton, a Boulanger pupil who composed three operas, finishing the last on the day he died!

The music is enchanting, of course, but what I really like is Chopin’s doodle. You can see it at the link, to what hopefully is a gift article (so don’t say I never gave you anything).