Issues : Inaccurate slurs in A

b. 47-48

composition: Op. 21, Concerto in F minor, Mvt II

Double slurs in A, contextual interpretation

Idem, R.H. only

Single slurs in GE1 (→FEEE)

R.H. only in FES

Double slurs in GE2

..

The interpretation of the slurring of A presents difficulties. The most important issue is the fact whether Chopin wanted to preserve double slurs or whether one of the versions (probably the long slur above the entire phrase) was supposed to replace the second one. The latter seems to be indicated by the absence of ending in bar 48 of two out of four slurs written at the end of bar 47 (corrections without erasing the eliminated version do happen in manuscripts, including in autographs, e.g. in the Etude in G major, Op. 10 No. 5, bar 83). In any case, this is how it was interpreted in GE1 (except for the slur in the L.H., which started inaccurately, too late) and then (after correcting this inaccuracy) in FE (→EE). GE2 included the double slurring of A.

In all editions, the crotchets in bar 48 are embraced with separate slurs, which rather does not correspond to the notation of A (the engraver may have been influenced by adjacent bars). However, when considering the portato articulation and the accent, the difference is of no practical meaning.

In the main text, we give an interpretation closest to the notation of A, with double slurs. The version of FE (→EE) may be considered a fully-fledged alternative interpretation.

If in bar 45 the version with the harmonic accompaniment was chosen, one of the versions for the R.H. is to be selected. 

category imprint: Graphic ambiguousness; Interpretations within context; Differences between sources

issues: Inaccuracies in GE , Inaccurate slurs in A , GE revisions , FE revisions

b. 52

composition: Op. 21, Concerto in F minor, Mvt II

Slur in A, literal reading

Slur in A, contextual interpretation

Slur in GE1 (→FE)

Slurs in both hands in EE & GE2

Slurs in both hands, suggested by the editors

..

The slur written in A embraces only this bar, yet the slur in the next bar (on a new page of the manuscript) clearly indicates continuation. In the main text we assume that it is the second slur that determines Chopin's intention in this place. The slur of GE1 (→FE) is clearly erroneous, which was revised in EE and GE2. In that editions, a slur in the part of the L.H. was also added, which can be considered to be justified with regard to the consistent slurring of the parts of both hands in the remaining sections of this fragment (bars 44-45).

If in bar 45 the version with the harmonic accompaniment was chosen, one of the first three source versions is to be selected here.

category imprint: Interpretations within context; Differences between sources

issues: EE revisions , Inaccuracies in GE , Inaccurate slurs in A , GE revisions , Uncertain slur continuation

b. 53

composition: Op. 21, Concerto in F minor, Mvt II

Different slurs in A

Continued slur in A

Idem, R.H. only

New slurs in GE (→FEEE)

New slur in GE (→FEEE)

Slur only in  R.H. in FES

Continued slurs suggested by the editors

..

In the R.H. A has a continuing slur, whereas in the L.H. it starts a new one, which may be regarded as justified concerning the absence of a slur in the L.H. in the previous bar. In the main text, we homogenise the slurring of both hands in accordance with the analysis carried out in that bar.

If the version with harmonic accompaniment was chosen in the note below, one of the versions with a slur only in the R.H. is to be selected here.

category imprint: Interpretations within context; Differences between sources

issues: Inaccurate slurs in A , GE revisions

b. 54-55

composition: Op. 21, Concerto in F minor, Mvt II

7-note slurs in A

7-note slur in A

Idem, R.H. only

8-note slurs in GE (→FEEE)

8-note slur in GE (→FEEE)

Idem, R.H. only in FES

..

On the last beat of bar 54, the slurs in A embrace the first 7 demisemiquavers only. The editions embraced 8 notes with them (in GE1 in the L.H. the slur erroneously embraces the entire figure and in FE the slur in bar 55 was shortened accordingly). In this case, the inaccuracy is understandable, particularly with regard to the slur of the R.H. that ends between g2 and a2.

If in bar 53 the version with harmonic accompaniment was chosen, one of the versions with slurs only in the R.H. is to be selected here.

category imprint: Graphic ambiguousness; Differences between sources

issues: EE revisions , Inaccuracies in GE , Inaccurate slurs in A , Errors in GE , GE revisions , FE revisions

b. 56-57

composition: Op. 21, Concerto in F minor, Mvt II

2 R.H. slurs in A, possible interpretation

2 R.H. slurs in A (literal reading→GE1FEEE)

3 slurs in GE1 (→FE)

4 slurs in EE

2 R.H. slurs in A, another interpretation

2 R.H. slurs in A (another interpretation) & GE2

4 slurs in GE2

R.H. slur in A, inter­pretation suggested by the editors

2 slurs suggested by the editors

R.H. slur in A, another interpretation

..

The slurs of A, written only for the R.H., are unclear here:

  • the slur in bar 56 starts over the 2nd demisemiquaver, but it points to the first;
  • the end of the slur in bar 56 suggests continuation, which is, however, not confirmed by the slur in bar 57 (on a new page).

Interpretation of those slurs adopted in the majority of editions, although possible, is, according to us, a double miss, which was partially corrected in GE2. In turn, we consider the addition of slurs in the L.H. part to be justified, which was introduced in all editions in bar 57, and in EE and GE2 also in bar 56.

If the version with harmonic accompaniment was chosen in bar 53, one of the interpretations of the slurs of A is to be selected here.

category imprint: Graphic ambiguousness; Differences between sources; Editorial revisions

issues: EE revisions , Inaccurate slurs in A , GE revisions