mUltimate Chopin

Op. 23, Ballade in G minor

Text Compare Notes Sources Description

Issues : Errors in GE

b. 125

composition: Op. 23, Ballade in G minor

..

There is a  before the 5th quaver in GE, which makes this and the 9th note sound like d. Harmonic changes in such passages can be found in Chopin's works (e.g. in the Etude in C major, Op. 10 No. 1, b. 60 and 64 or in the Etude in C minor, Op. 25 No. 12, b. 42), in this case, however, the authentic pedal markings (and other factors) indicate that one harmony should be continued until the end of the bar. The engraver of GE most probably changed the sharps to naturals a note too early (by mistake).

category imprint: Differences between sources

issues: Errors in GE

b. 127-128

composition: Op. 23, Ballade in G minor

in b. 127-128 in A (→FE→GE)

in b. 127 in EE

No sign in GE1a
..

Both the  mark having been shortened by EE (it was led to the end of the line) and it having been overlooked by GE1a are most probably the engravers' mistakes.

category imprint: Differences between sources

issues: Errors in GE , EE inaccuracies

b. 170

composition: Op. 23, Ballade in G minor

b2-b2 & e2-c3 in A (→FE) & GE3 (→GE4)

b2-b2 & e2-c3 in A (→FE) & GE3 (→GE4)

b2 & e2-b2-c3 in GE1 (→GE1a,GE2) & EE

b2 & e2-b2-c3 in GE1 (→GE1a,GE2) & EE
..

In A (→FE), the b2-b2 augmented unison is written in such a way that the stem reaches only the left notehead (b2). In A, the notation is clear, since the stem is placed to the right of the notehead, hence it falls between both notes, and the gap between the right note and the next e2-c3 sixth is evident. However, FE, although the notation is practically the same, placed the stem (in accordance with the rule) to the left of the b2 notehead, while b2 is so close to the sixth that both GE1 (→GE1a,GE2) and EE interpreted these notes as a chord: e2-b2-c3. It was only GE3 (→GE4) that guessed how the version of FE is to be understood. See also b. 171.

category imprint: Graphic ambiguousness; Differences between sources

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

b. 171

composition: Op. 23, Ballade in G minor

d2-a2 & a2-b2 in A & FE1 (→GE1→GE2, →EE1→EE2)

d2-a2 & a2-b2 in A & FE1 (→GE1→GE2, →EE1→EE2)

d2-a2-a2 & d2-b2 in FE2

d2-a2-a2 & d2-b2 in FE2

a2-a2 & d2-b2 suggested by the editors

a2-a2 & d2-b2 suggested by the editors

f2-a2 & d2-a2-b2 in GE1a

f2-a2 & d2-a2-b2 in GE1a

a2-a2 & b2 in GE3 (→GE4)

a2-a2 & b2 in GE3 (→GE4)

a2 & d2-a2-b2 in EE3

a2 & d2-a2-b2 in EE3
..

The version of A (→FE1) (→GE1→GE2 →EE1→EE2) was changed in FE2. The change was almost certainly performed at Chopin's request; however, it is unlikely that he would have wanted to leave d2 in the penultimate crotchet of the quintuplet – the aim of the correction was most probably a version analogous to b. 170. Therefore, it would be an example of an unfinished correction – the engraver was supposed to move d2 from the 4th crotchet to the 5th; he inserted it in a new place, but did not remove it from the former. Such mistakes are very frequent, e.g. in the Ballade in F, Op. 38, b. 179, the Scherzo in B minor, Op. 20, b. 135 and 292 or the Polonaise in A, Op. 40 No. 1, b. 93). Therefore, in the main text we suggest a respectively modified version of FE2, most probably intended by Chopin.

Versions of the remaining sources are arbitrary attempts to partially or completely unify the respective fragments of b. 170 and 171.

category imprint: Graphic ambiguousness; Differences between sources; Editorial revisions; Corrections & alterations

issues: EE revisions , Errors in EE , Errors in GE , GE revisions , Authentic corrections of FE

b. 179

composition: Op. 23, Ballade in G minor

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In GE2, this bar was re-engraved, most probably due to the wear and tear of this fragment of the plate. At the same time, a "mirror" mistake was committed – the slur along with the digit 4, marking a quadruplet, was printed under the first four bottom voice crotchets (it was placed to the left of the g1 crotchet instead of to the right). Interestingly, the rhythmic mistake of GE2 was not corrected in the subsequent impressions of GE – GE3 (→GE4) added the correct slur but did not move the digit.

category imprint: Differences between sources

issues: Errors resulting from corrections , Errors in GE , GE revisions , Sign reversal