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Op. 44, Polonaise in F♯ minor

Text Compare Notes Sources Description

Issues : Errors in GE

b. 169

composition: Op. 44, Polonaise in F♯ minor

Interval in GE

Chord in FE (→EE)

Our variant suggestion
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According to us, neither source nor stylistic criteria allow us to give preference to any of these versions. Due to the above reason, in the main text we suggest a variant solution.

category imprint: Differences between sources

issues: Errors in GE , Authentic corrections of FE , Partial corrections

b. 199-200

composition: Op. 44, Polonaise in F♯ minor

a-b slur in GE & FE

No arc in EE1

Tie to b in EE2 (→EE3)
..

The tie to b was reproduced correctly only in EE2 (→EE3). The inaccuracies of the remaining editions resulted from the Chopinesque manner of writing down ties as short, quite thick curved lines, not running from a note to the other one, but placed next to the attached note (cf., e.g. the first page of the autograph of the Mazurka in G major, Op. 50 No. 1, particularly the e-e1 octaves in b. 18-20 and 22-24). In the discussed bars of the Polonaise, the parts of both hands (4 voices!) are written down on the bottom stave, which could have been an additional obstacle to the correct interpretation and reproduction of that tie. There is a similar situation two bars later.

The slur of FE (→EE) over b. 198-200, which ends in the same place, is discussed separately.

category imprint: Interpretations within context; Differences between sources

issues: EE revisions , Inaccuracies in FE , Errors in GE

b. 240

composition: Op. 44, Polonaise in F♯ minor

Staccato dot in GE1

No mark in FE (→EE) & GE2
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In the main text we include the staccato dot printed in GE after [A]. The mark was probably overlooked by the engraver of FE (→EE) or earlier, in the manuscript basis for that edition. The absence of the dot in GE2 is certainly the fault of the engraver of that edition.
There is a similar situation two bars later.

category imprint: Differences between sources

issues: Errors in GE

b. 270

composition: Op. 44, Polonaise in F♯ minor

Chord with f in GE

Chord without f in FE (→EE)
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Like in b. 37, we consider the chord with additional f to be the initial version or a mistake in the interpretation of [A] by the engraver of GE1.

category imprint: Differences between sources

issues: Errors in GE

b. 293

composition: Op. 44, Polonaise in F♯ minor

in GE

No sign in FE (→EE)
..

The additional trill in GE is most probably a mistake by the engraver, who placed  a crotchet too early and either did not notice his mistake or forgot to remove the wrong mark. Anyways, the trill was absent in [A] – this bar was not written out in the manuscripts, but marked in an abridged manner as a repetition of b. 60, in which there is no trace of that trill. Moreover, there is no convincing evidence of Chopin proofreading GE1. Nevertheless, we have to admit that such a diversification of the last appearance of a repeated phrase would fit into the Chopinesque style.

category imprint: Differences between sources

issues: Errors in GE