A newly discovered waltz by Frédéric Chopin, recently unearthed from a vault at the Morgan Library and Museum in New York, made its Houston debut Nov. 13 at Rice University’s Shepherd School of Music. Doctor of Musical Arts candidate Szuyu Su performed the waltz as part of a recital featuring students of celebrated pianist and Shepherd School professor Jon Kimura Parker.
The waltz, a striking A minor composition dating to the early 1830s, has captured international attention for its intense, dramatic opening and authentic Chopin style. Parker, who teaches Su at the Shepherd School and chairs the keyboard department, was enthusiastic about introducing his students to this unexpected piece.
“This is unquestionably by Chopin,” Parker told Rice News after the discovery. “The pacing and the style are exactly in keeping with Chopin’s large oeuvre of waltzes. Most importantly, and a source of great enjoyment to me, are the unexpected chromatic turns throughout.”
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