mUltimate Chopin

Text Compare Notes Sources Description

Issues : Errors repeated in GE

b. 54

composition: Op. 11, Concerto in E minor, Mvt III

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In FE (→GE1→GE2), the octave sign begins only just in the next bar. The patent mistake was corrected in EE straight away, yet only just in the second edition (GE3) of GE.

category imprint: Interpretations within context; Differences between sources

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

b. 55

composition: Op. 16, Rondo in E♭ major

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In the sources, the octave sign does not encompass the grace note, as a result of which, when interpreted literally, it is a b1 and not a b2. The notation of analogous bar 64 proves a mistake in the placement of the octave sign.

category imprint: Interpretations within context

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

b. 56

composition: Op. 2, Variations, complete

6 notes on 5th quaver-beat in AsI

6 notes on 5th quaver-beat in AsI

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

5 notes in A (→GE→FE,EE,FESB), interpretation
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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. 57

composition: Op. 22, Polonaise

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In the main text we add a  before e2, the 10th note from the end of the bar. Due to the previous  before e3, this accidental was sometimes considered superfluous – it is absent in FE (→GE1) – yet it was added in EE and GE2 (→GE3). Moreover, we add a cautionary  before b2 by the end of the run.

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

issues: EE revisions , Accidentals in different octaves , Inaccuracies in FE , GE revisions , Errors repeated in GE

b. 57

composition: Op. 22, Polonaise

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The sources are lacking in the accidental before the 2nd played note of the run. It must be Chopin's mistake (one of the most frequent ones – oversight of an alteration's cancellation), since a2 would have suggested a turn towards B major (G minor), and not F minor, whose dominant we are about to hear. Due to the absence of this accidental, a2 should also be in the ending of the run.

category imprint: Interpretations within context; Editorial revisions

issues: Omissions to cancel alteration , Errors repeated in GE , Errors repeated in EE