The National Library of France has discovered an unknown Mozart manuscript in its collections.
The anonymous and untitled 18th-century music book is being described by experts as one of the most significant discoveries of recent decades, the library's director, Gilles Pécout, said on Friday.
The use of French paper, as well as the content - composition exercises and seven pieces for flute and harp - suggest, according to the institution, the manuscript originates from the lessons given by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart between May and July 1778 during his final stay in Paris.
His pupil was Marie-Louise-Philippine de Guînes, a talented harpist from an aristocratic family of musicians.
The music book, which was discovered in February in the institution's collections - one of the largest libraries in the world - sheds new light on Mozart's final stay in Paris.
