mUltimate Chopin

Text Compare Notes Sources Description

Issues : Errors of GC

b. 189-190

composition: Op. 38, Ballade in F major

Slurs in A (→FE,EE)

No slurs in GC (→GE)
..

In GC (→GE) there are no slurs combining the last two quavers in the L.H. in bars 189 and 190.

category imprint: Differences between sources

issues: Errors of GC

b. 193-194

composition: Op. 38, Ballade in F major

Slurs from 5th quaver in A

Slur from 4th quaver in GC (→GE)

No slurs in FE

Slurs from 4th quaver in EE
..

In GC (→GE), the missing second slur in bar 193 is undoubtedly an oversight. The second slur in bar 194 encompasses – in distinct contrast to A – the entire 2nd half of the bar. Three-note slurs in the 2nd halves of these bars occur also in EE. The slurs in A pertain clearly to the last two quavers, and their relatively long ends were presumably meant to distinguish them from semiquaver beams in the R.H.
FE overlooked both slurs.

category imprint: Differences between sources

issues: EE revisions , Errors in FE , Inaccuracies in GC , Errors of GC

b. 195

composition: Op. 38, Ballade in F major

Arpeggio signs in A (→FE,EE)

No signs in GC (→GE)
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The lack of arpeggio signs in GC (→GE) is most probably an oversight by the copyist.

category imprint: Differences between sources

issues: Errors of GC

b. 200-203

composition: Op. 39, Scherzo in C♯ minor

Slur in EE

No slur in GC (→GE)

Slur in FE
..

EE is the only source in which the slur for this phrase is in line with its musical sense and with slurring in numerous similar phrases. In FE the slur only reaches the chord in bar 202 and runs under the chords, which is a routine change of the graphic layout employed by engravers. In GC (→GE) the slur was omitted.

category imprint: Differences between sources

issues: Inaccuracies in FE , Placement of markings , FE revisions , Errors of GC

b. 202-204

composition: Op. 38, Ballade in F major

1. Original version in A

2. Later version of A (→FE1,EE)

3. GC, contextual interpretation

GE

4. FE2 (→FE3)

Our variant suggestion
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The ending of the Ballade has a few versions proving Chopin's hesitations. We present them below in a chronological order:

  1. The original version in A.
  2. The later version in A (→EE), added by Chopin under the deleted version No. 1. This version was copied to GC, where Chopin would then modify it (with an erroneous c1 instead of d1 in bar 203).
  3. The version of GC changed by Chopin. This version was adopted by GE by correcting the bottom note in bar 203 and adding an erroneous slur combining the grace note and the g minim.
  4. The version of FE2, corrected by Chopin.

As it can be seen, Chopin had two main concepts of the Ballade's endings, "open" and "close." According to us, it is the version No. 1 that presents the first of them in the most thoughtful manner, while in the case of the latter it is the version No. 4. In the main text we give the version No. 1, enriched with variant, characteristic for Chopin grace note added in GC.

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

issues: Corrections in A , Chopin's hesitations , Errors resulting from corrections , Terzverschreibung error , Deletions in A , Authentic corrections of FE , Errors of GC , Authentic corrections in GC