Christopher Harding, Chair of Piano and Professor // Chopin’s Newly Discovered Waltz

The University of Michigan Department of Piano is buzzing with excitement as students and faculty unite to celebrate an extraordinary musical discovery—a recently unearthed Chopin waltz from 2024 that has captured the imagination of performers and audiences alike. Using an edited score based on the original manuscript, this innovative project is reviving a long lost piece of Romantic genius while inspiring fresh interpretations and creative compositions across the Department.

Discovered in 2024, Chopin’s mysterious waltz has made headlines in the classical music world. Its passionate and unusual markings offer a rare glimpse into the creative spirit of a young composer known for his intimate, yet emotionally charged works. At the U-M School of Music, Theatre & Dance, an edited version of this piece has provided the perfect canvas for a bold performance project—one that invites everyone from emerging performers to seasoned faculty members to interpret Chopin’s legacy anew.

Three faculty members—Professor Logan Skelton, Professor Arthur Greene, and Associate Professor Matthew Bengtson—have not only performed the piece but also composed their own inspired versions.

In this video, Professor Christopher Harding (Chair of Piano) performs Chopin’s Newly Discovered Waltz.

For many more Department of Piano performances, please visit the Michigan Recording Project at https://smtd.umich.edu/michigan-recor...