mUltimate Chopin

Op. 2, Variations, complete

Text Compare Notes Sources Description

Issues : Errors in GE

b. 63

composition: Op. 2, Variations, complete

No mark in AsI & A

Long accent in GE (→FE)

Short accent in EE & FESB
..

The long accent added by GE1 could be considered a revision or even Chopin's intervention were it not for the  marking situated in the same place. The chord provided with this dynamic indication ends a long diminuendo (running from the beginning of this extended bar); therefore, emphasising it would be contrary to Chopin's clear idea, which was to attenuate the music. We assume a possible "symmetrical reflection" mistake – the accent that was supposed to be placed under the stem of the e1 crotchet after the minim chord was printed over the stem of the F-c fifth preceding that chord. Taking into account the above, we do not give this accent in the main text.

category imprint: Differences between sources

issues: Long accents , Inaccuracies in FE , Errors in GE , GE revisions , EE inaccuracies , Authentic corrections of GE

b. 63

composition: Op. 2, Variations, complete

Minim c1 in A (→GE1→GE2)

Minim a1 in FE

Minim c1 with rest in EE

Semibreve a1 in FESB

Minims f & c1 in GE3

3 dotted minims suggested by the editors
..

Chopin would often differentiate the rhythmic values of a chord written on one stem. However, in this case one could have doubts whether the missing dot to c1 in A (→GE1→GE2,FESB) did not result from distraction. A possible earlier release of this key does not affect the sound, since the pedal pressed at the beginning of the bar is still to be held. Another issue could be the e1 crotchet: making it easier to play it or indicating that the e1 note falls already after two and not three crotchets. None of the above reasons seems plausible enough, hence in the main text we add a respective dot. In the other editions, the notation of this chord contains mistakes or revisions:

  • In FE the dot of a1 was overlooked, yet a dot to c1 was added;
  • EE added a crotchet rest after the c1 minim;
  • in FESB the dotted a1 minim written on the top stave is devoid of a stem, hence it looks like a semibreve (in this edition there is no difference between the minim and semibreve noteheads);
  • GE3 overlooked the dots to c1 and f.

category imprint: Differences between sources; Editorial revisions

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

b. 105

composition: Op. 2, Variations, complete

No fingering in A (→GE1→FE,EE)

3-2-1 fingering in GE2 (→FESB)

3-1-2 fingering in GE3
..

The fingering added in GE2 (→FESB), whose authenticity is, after all, questionable, must be erroneous in this case. However, it is uncertain whether the mistake consisted in printing a wrong digit (2 instead of 4) or in switching the order of digits (2-1 instead of 1-2). GE3 applied the latter.

category imprint: Differences between sources

issues: Errors in GE , GE revisions

b. 109

composition: Op. 2, Variations, complete

..

The last semiquaver in GE1 (→FE1) is an erroneous a3 note. The mistake was corrected in GE2 (→GE3,FESB) and – perhaps at Chopin's request – in FE2.

category imprint: Interpretations within context; Differences between sources

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

b. 110

composition: Op. 2, Variations, complete

in A

 in GE (→FE,EE,FESB)
..

The letter 'z' in the  marking was omitted in the first editions of Chopin's works several times – cf., e.g. the Etude in C minor, Op. 10 No. 4, b. 1.
The erasure visible in A suggests that Chopin initially wrote there a , which, in turn, indicates that there is a difference in meaning between  and ; however, it is unclear what the difference actually is. According to us, it is likely that  could be associated with an isolated or a target accent, after which the current course is not continued anymore. On the other hand, , applied in the Variations much more often and always accompanied by an accent, usually long, or a  hairpin, generally implements the appoggiatura dynamic scheme – it emphasises the first out of the pair of the concerned notes.

category imprint: Differences between sources; Corrections & alterations; Source & stylistic information

issues: Corrections in A , Errors in GE , fz – f