b. 521
According to us, the placement of the hairpin under the L.H. chords in A was forced by lack of place over them: due to the notation of the topmost notes of the chords on the top stave, the mark must have been situated in a place already occupied by the R.H. slur and rests. It is confirmed by a teaching entry in FED, which we thus consider to be the most accurate expression of Chopin's intention. The hairpin of A was reproduced inaccurately both in FC and FE. In turn, the version of GE is close enough to the notation of A to be considered equivalent.
Compare the passage in the sources»
category imprint: Interpretations within context; Differences between sources
issues: Annotations in teaching copies, Annotations in FED, Inaccuracies in GE, Inaccuracies in FE, Scope of dynamic hairpins, Inaccuracies in FC
notation: Articulation, Accents, Hairpins