A previously unknown piano piece by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart was found by a university lecturer in Austria, the Salzburg Mozart Institute said on Friday.

The academic from the University of Innsbruck found the handwritten music in a notebook dating back to 1780, reported the institute. The handwriting was attributed to a Tyrolean scribe, but the piano piece was clearly the work of the young Mozart, the group said.

"Stylistically, the piece matches the others you can find from the young Mozart," said Ulrich Leisinger, the institute's scientific director. Mozart's name was also listed in the notes.

It is believed that Mozart composed the piece in 1756, just before he embarked on a three-year trip to Italy at the age of 13.

The piece is to be performed at the Mozart Residence in Salzburg on March 23. The last find of Mozart work was in 2006.

-Sapa-dpa