In a discovery that has electrified the classical music world, a musicologist at the French National Library has unearthed a previously unknown manuscript by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart. The find, which includes seven short pieces for flute and harp, offers a rare glimpse into the composer's time in Paris and his work as a teacher.
François-Pierre Goy, a conservator who has spent 31 years at the library, was sorting through pre-1800 collections on 2 February when he came across a 44-page notebook. Recognising the handwriting and style of the Austrian master, he sought confirmation from colleague Laurence Decobert, who had curated an exhibition on Mozart's relationship with France. In April, Armin Brinzing of the Bibliotheca Mozartiana at the Mozarteum in Salzburg provided definitive authentication.
“This is one of the most important discoveries in recent decades,” said Gilles Pécout, president of the French National Library, in a statement.
A Window into Mozart’s Parisian Sojourn
The manuscript dates from 1778, when a 22-year-old Mozart spent six months in the French capital. During that period, he gave composition lessons to Marie-Louise-Philippine de Bonnières de Guînes, the daughter of a diplomat and an accomplished harpist. While her father believed in her genius, Mozart was less impressed, writing to his own father that his pupil lacked “musical invention.”
The recovered notebook documents these lessons. The seven pieces, described as delicate exercises, were likely started from ideas Mozart himself proposed. The lessons ended abruptly when Mademoiselle de Guînes married in July 1778, leaving the final piece unfinished.
The works add significantly to Mozart’s slim repertoire for flute and harp, a combination he rarely employed. They also shed light on his pedagogical methods and the musical life of Paris in the late 18th century.
World Premiere on France Musique
The discovery was kept confidential for months, but on Monday, France Musique radio aired the world premiere. Flutist Mathilde Caldérini and harpist Nicolas Tulliez, both from the Orchestre Philharmonique de Radio France, performed the pieces.
“It is an exceptional honour for any musical ensemble to bring a forgotten work by Mozart back to life,” said Sibyle Veil, president of Radio France. “That this world premiere should be entrusted to the Orchestre Philharmonique de Radio France is a testament to the excellence of its musicians and their commitment to the transmission of our musical heritage.”
The manuscript will remain in the care of the French National Library, which already holds the third-largest collection of Mozart autograph manuscripts after Salzburg and Berlin. The music itself is now available for performance worldwide, promising to enrich concert programmes for years to come.
This discovery comes amid a broader cultural renaissance in France, where institutions are increasingly digitising and re-examining their archives. The find also highlights the enduring relevance of Mozart’s work, even as the continent grapples with modern challenges such as extreme weather events and debates over digital regulation.
