France Identifies Mozart’s 248-Year-Old 44-Page Notebook in Paris
Updated
Updated · Classic FM · Jun 19
France Identifies Mozart’s 248-Year-Old 44-Page Notebook in Paris
1 articles · Updated · Classic FM · Jun 19
Summary
A 44-page notebook held by France’s National Library has been officially identified as Mozart’s, dating to May-July 1778 when the composer was 22 and living in Paris.
Francois-Pierre Goy spotted handwriting matches while sorting documents before retirement, and the manuscript was authenticated in April 2026 by Mozarteum Foundation director Armin Brinzing.
The notebook contains daily harp exercises for Marie-Louise-Philippine de Guines and seven pieces for flute and harp, likely tied to the Duke of Guines family Mozart was tutoring.
The manuscript had sat in two bundles of music confiscated from the Duke of Guines’s home in 1794 during the French Revolution, linking the find to a fraught patronage relationship in which Mozart was underpaid.
What does this lost notebook reveal about Mozart's hidden struggles as a teacher in 18th-century Paris?
Why did a priceless Mozart manuscript lay unidentified in a Paris library for over 200 years?
Historic Discovery: Mozart’s 1778 Paris Notebook Reveals Seven Unheard Works for Flute and Harp
Overview
On June 21, 2026, a newly discovered and previously unpublished autograph manuscript by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart was performed publicly for the first time, captivating audiences at the Bibliothèque nationale de France and beyond through a live broadcast on France Musique. The Musicians of the Orchestre Philharmonique de Radio France brought this long-lost score to life, drawing immediate and enthusiastic reactions from cultural leaders and musicians. Experts praised the clarity and emotional depth of the work, highlighting its profound significance. This discovery offers invaluable new material for scholars and has the potential to reshape our understanding of Mozart’s creative process and stylistic evolution.