Found work is said to be by Mozart

A French museum has found a previously unknown piece of music handwritten by Mozart, a researcher said Thursday. The 18th century melody sketch is missing the harmony and instrumentation but was described as an important find.

Ulrich Leisinger, head of research at the International Mozarteum Foundation in Salzburg, Austria, said there is no doubt that the single sheet was written by the composer.

“His handwriting is absolutely clearly identifiable,” he said.

The work, described as the preliminary draft of a musical composition, was found by a library in Nantes in western France as staff were going through its archives.