mUltimate Chopin

Op. 23, Ballade in G minor

Text Compare Notes Sources Description

Issues : Inaccuracies in A

b. 186-187

composition: Op. 23, Ballade in G minor

 in A

No markings in FE (→GE,EE)

 suggested by the editors

  , our alternative suggestion
..

The missing  asterisk at the end of b. 186 is almost certainly Chopin's oversight in A (it closes the line, which is conducive to mistakes). FE (→GE,EE) also omitted the closest  mark, which contributed to the following pair of marks, seemingly correct,  , encompassing one bar and a half. It could have been an unsuccessful revision or an oversight; however, irrespective of the reason, mixing harmonies between b. 186 and 187 is a mistake.
It is difficult to decide where to place the  asterisk overlooked in b. 186 – see the note in the previous bar – hence we suggest two solutions.  

category imprint: Differences between sources

issues: Errors in FE , Inaccuracies in A

b. 198

composition: Op. 23, Ballade in G minor

Slur in A, possible contextual interpretation

in A, different reading

No sign in FE (→GE,EE)
..

In the available photograph of A, it seems that the mark entered under a part of the quaver figure is an inaccurate slur of the original range (only to the last quaver). The longer slur entered over the figure must be the final version (see b. 194-195), hence we give it in the main text as the only one, in compliance with FE (→GE,EE).
According to us, the possible slur could also be a  mark, of which it is only the upper arm that is visible in the photograph (cf.  in b. 200). Due to the uncertainty concerning the interpretation of the mark and its absence in the principal source (FE), we do not include it in the main text.

category imprint: Graphic ambiguousness; Differences between sources

issues: Errors in FE , Inaccurate slurs in A , Authentic corrections of FE , Inaccuracies in A

b. 207

composition: Op. 23, Ballade in G minor

..

In A (→FE→GE), there is no  raising f1 to f1. The inaccuracy, typical of Chopin, was corrected only by EE.

category imprint: Interpretations within context; Differences between sources

issues: EE revisions , Accidentals in different octaves , Inaccuracies in A , Errors repeated in GE , Errors repeated in FE

b. 217-218

composition: Op. 23, Ballade in G minor

 in A

      in FE (→GE,EE)
..

The missing pedal markings at the end of b. 217 and in b. 218 in A must be Chopin's inadvertence, since it is the end of a line in A, which is conducive to oversights – after a moment of distraction, the composer resumed writing indications from a new line.

category imprint: Differences between sources

issues: Authentic corrections of FE , No pedal release mark , Inaccuracies in A

b. 217-219

composition: Op. 23, Ballade in G minor

..

In A (→FE) there are no sharps raising f2(3) to f2(3) in b. 217 and 219. The inaccuracy, typical of Chopin, was corrected by GE and EE. Chopin wrote in A cautionary naturals to a1 in both bars and to a in b. 219; they were repeated by all editions. FE (→GE,EE) also added a  to a1 in b. 217. In the main text we include all these accidentals.
Moreover, GE added in both bars a cautionary  also to a2.

category imprint: Interpretations within context; Differences between sources

issues: EE revisions , Accidentals in different octaves , GE revisions , Inaccuracies in A , Errors repeated in FE