mUltimate Chopin

Op. 23, Ballade in G minor

Text Compare Notes Sources Description

Issues : Inaccuracies in GE

b. 188-189

composition: Op. 23, Ballade in G minor

No sign in A

in FE (→EE) & GE1a

in GE
..

The  hairpin in FE (→EE) must have resulted from Chopinesque proofreading. GE reproduced the mark inaccurately, which is difficult to explain. It is equally difficult to explain why GE1a is compatible with FE and not with GE1. The latter seems to indicate that the engraver of GE1a had FE at his disposal; however, the coincidence may be purely accidental – the engraver of GE1a could have expanded the mark arbitrarily to adjust it to the quaver beam, which was a frequent manner of the then engravers.

category imprint: Differences between sources

issues: Inaccuracies in GE , Authentic corrections of FE

b. 218-223

composition: Op. 23, Ballade in G minor

Long accents in A (→FE)

Short accents in GE & EE
..

GE and EE considered the longer accent under a1, exceptionally accurately reproduced by FE after A, an inaccuracy of notation. The same applies to the beginning of b. 223.

category imprint: Differences between sources

issues: Long accents , Inaccuracies in GE , EE inaccuracies

b. 222-223

composition: Op. 23, Ballade in G minor

No markings in A

Pedalling in FE (→GE,EE)
..

In the main text we include the pedal markings added by Chopin while proofreading FE (→GE,EE). In b. 223 in GE, the  asterisk is placed after the d minim. It must be a mistake, probably a 'mirror' mistake – placing a mark on the wrong side of a reference point, e.g. a note.

category imprint: Differences between sources

issues: Inaccuracies in GE , Authentic corrections of FE

b. 235-237

composition: Op. 23, Ballade in G minor

No marks in A

L.H. accents in FE (→EE)

R.H. & L.H. accents in GE
..

The accents above the 2nd crotchet in bars 235 and 237 were added while proofreading FE, undoubtedly by Chopin. Assignment of the sign in bar 235 to the R.H. is probably the result of misinterpretation of the notation in FE by the engraver of GE, who believed that this accent, like the neighbouring ones, refers to the R.H. despite its lower position.

category imprint: Differences between sources; Corrections & alterations

issues: Inaccuracies in GE , Authentic corrections of FE

b. 238-239

composition: Op. 23, Ballade in G minor

No markings in A

    in FE (→GE,EE)

 in GE1a
..

The two-bar pedal must be a Chopinesque hint added in the stage of proofreading FE (→GE,EE). The missing  mark in GE1a is most probably an oversight by the engraver.

category imprint: Differences between sources

issues: Inaccuracies in GE , Authentic corrections of FE