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Issues : Rhythmic errors

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b. 56

composition: Op. 2, Variations, complete

6 notes on 5th quaver-beat in AsI

5 notes in A (→GE→FE,EE,FESB), interpretation
..

In A and in all editions, over the 5-note 1st half of the figure on the 3rd beat of the bar, we can observe a seemingly wrong digit – 6. However, the error consists in a missing note – a2 between b2 and g2 – which is proven by:

  • the text of AsI, which includes this note – visible are 6 note stems, although the pitch of the penultimate one is unclear (the ledger line is inaccurately written). The figure begins with a written-out turn, like the three remaining similar phrases in b. 55-57;
  • discrepancy between the number of the notes and the actual number, which means that Chopin did not realise that he was entering a text containing a smaller number of notes. Therefore, it is not a change of concept but an oversight.

The mistake remained unnoticed, both by Chopin (who was probably proofreading GE1 and certainly FE1) and by the revisers, who did not check the rhythmic correctness of this figure.

category imprint: Differences between sources

issues: Rhythmic errors , Errors of A , Errors repeated in GE , Errors repeated in FE , Errors repeated in EE

b. 56-57

composition: Op. 2, Variations, complete

Demisemiquavers in AsI

Rhythms with rest in A (→GE→FE,EE,FESB)
..

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

issues: Rhythmic errors , Main-line changes

b. 56

composition: Op. 12, Variations in B♭ major

Minim in FE (→GE,EE)

Crotchet suggested by editors
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The f dotted minim present in the sources is almost certainly erroneous. It could be a remaining element of the initial, original bass version – in the opera score this f lasts 5 quavers and goes directly to d. Chopin changed the bass line by adding a b crotchet in the middle of the bar, but apparently he did not make sure the preceding f note was shortened accordingly. In the main text we replace the minim by a crotchet, resulting in a logical bass sequence.
Cf. bar 58.

category imprint: Editorial revisions

issues: Errors in FE , Rhythmic errors

b. 57

composition: Op. 29, Impromptu in A♭ major

..

The illogical and erroneous notation of the last third in A ‒ 2 voices, in the upper one a crotchet, in the lower one a quaver ‒ is probably a result of a carelessly introduced correction.
The note g1 at the beginning of the bar was originally a doubly dotted minim, while the quaver a1 would complete the rhythm of the lower voice. It can be assumed that Chopin was ending the notation of the upper c2, as his attention was drawn by the issue of the L.H. which overlapped the g1 note, which is held during almost the entire bar. He decided to shorten it and as a consequence he forgot to finish the last quaver. 

category imprint: Interpretations within context; Corrections & alterations

issues: Rhythmic errors

b. 59

composition: Op. 30, Mazurka in D♭ major

..

In FE, in the top voice the double dotted crotchet is followed by a quaver. A comparison with analogous bar 63, and above all the FC (→GE) version, prove that the value of the last note is erroneous, since it is to be a semiquaver. An adequate correction was introduced in EE.

category imprint: Interpretations within context; Differences between sources

issues: EE revisions , Errors in FE , Rhythmic errors