Previously unknown Mozart music discovered in German library

A piece dating from 1760s, probably composed when Mozart was in his early teens, uncovered by researchers in Leipzig

A previously unknown piece of music composed by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart when he was probably in his early teens has been uncovered at the city’s music library in Germany. The piece dates to the mid to late 1760s and consists of seven miniature movements for a string trio lasting about 12 minutes. Born in 1756, Mozart was a child prodigy and began composing at a very early age under his father’s guidance.

Researchers discovered the work while compiling the latest edition of the Köchel catalogue, the definitive archive of Mozart’s musical works. The newly discovered manuscript was not written by Mozart himself but is believed to be a copy made in about 1780, the researchers said.

The piece was performed by a string trio at the unveiling of the new Köchel catalogue at the Stiftung Mozarteum Salzburg.

Foto (c) Mozarteum Foundation