mUltimate Chopin

Op. 2, Variations, complete

Text Compare Notes Sources Description

Issues : Omissions to cancel alteration

b. 319

composition: Op. 2, Variations, complete

d2 & d1 in sources

d2 & d1, possible alternative interpretation
..

The pitch of the middle note in the penultimate triplet (in both bars) raised doubts of many later editors of Chopin's works. In fact, there are many arguments that make one consider an oversight of the  restoring d2(1) to be likely. However, as the literal interpretation of the text results in a version that perfectly fits into the Chopinesque style, in the main text we leave the source version.

category imprint: Editorial revisions; Source & stylistic information

issues: Omissions to cancel alteration , Errors of A

b. 320

composition: Op. 2, Variations, complete

..

The sources do not include an accidental over the mordent. In this harmonic context, the use of b is obvious, hence in the main text we add a  over the ornament. Chopin hardly ever put accidentals over trills or mordents in such situations, generally leaving the task of finding the right sound of the auxiliary note to the performer's imagination.

category imprint: Interpretations within context; Editorial revisions

issues: Omissions to cancel alteration , Inaccuracies in A

b. 325

composition: Op. 2, Variations, complete

d3 in AsI

e3 in A (→GE→FE,EE), literal reading

e3 suggested by the editors
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The pitch of the 2nd semiquaver in the 5th triplet is questionable – when interpreted literally, it is an e3; however, in all analogous places a respective note is placed a fifth (perfect) lower than the previous one, in this case e3, which suggests Chopin's possible mistake. In uneven triplets, the 2nd and 3rd semiquavers melodically combine with the next triplet, which Chopin carefully marked with R.H. slurs; however, this does not determine their harmonic affiliation. The latter is determined by the L.H. sequence (with different slurs!), consisting of D-T sequences filling two subsequent quavers, which, in turn, is clearly signalled by the bass voice beams. If we also take into account Chopin's tendency to forget about previous alterations (in this case it is really far – this is the only bar within bars 321-329 in which the 1st semiquaver is altered), an accidental oversight of a  restoring e3 seems very likely. Therefore, the absence of a  to the unquestionable e3 in the next triplet belongs to Chopin's typical inaccuracies – it is a note belonging to the current chord (A major) and was marked a semiquaver earlier in the L.H. part. Taking into consideration the above, in the main text we suggest adding accidentals so that the discussed fragment of the progression does not deviate from the binding scheme.

In AsI the 5th triplet in the bar is presented in the initial form (see also bar 328), in which the problematic note is absent. The introduction of a change in this place is an argument for Chopin's mistake in A, since corrections narrow down the attention field, which is conducive to errors.

category imprint: Interpretations within context; Differences between sources; Editorial revisions; Corrections & alterations

issues: Accidentals in different octaves , Omissions to cancel alteration , Errors resulting from corrections , Errors of A , Main-line changes

b. 339

composition: Op. 2, Variations, complete

..

In A and in the majority of the editions the  restoring e2 is missing. Chopin's mistake, patent in this harmonic context, and typical of him, is proven by the  in the piano part of AsI and by the orchestral part – a respective accidental is in the part of the first clarinet. A flat was added only in GE3.

category imprint: Interpretations within context; Differences between sources; Editorial revisions

issues: Omissions to cancel alteration , GE revisions , Errors of A

b. 340

composition: Op. 2, Variations, complete

b1-d2 in A & FESB

b1-d2 in AsI & GE (→FE,EE)
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The version of A featuring b1 must be Chopin's mistake, which in this case could be explained by score-like thinking – in the voice of the 2nd clarinet implementing the bottom line of the semiquavers, a  restoring b is unnecessary. The accidental, present in AsI, was then added already in the stage of proofreading GE (→FE,EE), perhaps by Chopin. It is the engraver of FESB that is to blame for the absence of this accidental in this edition.

category imprint: Differences between sources

issues: Omissions to cancel alteration , GE revisions , Errors of A , Authentic corrections of GE ,