Issues : Dotted rhythms and triplets

Select: 
Category
All
Graphic ambiguousness
Interpretations within context
Differences between sources
Editorial revisions
Corrections & alterations
Source & stylistic information
Notation
All
Pitch
Rhythm
Slurs
Articulation, Accents, Hairpins
Verbal indications
Pedalling
Fingering
Ornaments
Shorthand & other
Importance
All
Important
Main


b. 51

composition: Op. 27 No 1, Nocturne in C# minor

GE (→FEEE): the semiquaver after the last note of the triplet

Notation in keeping with Chopin's understanding of this figure

..

In bar 51 of GE (→FEEE) the semiquaver in  was moved beyond the 3rd note of the triplet in the accompaniment. This inauthentic, misleading notation was used throughout the Nocturne.

category imprint: Interpretations within context

issues: GE revisions , Dotted rhythms and triplets

b. 51

composition: Op. 27 No 1, Nocturne in C# minor

R.H. quaver over the 6th L.H. note in GE (→FE)

Regular rhythmic notation in EE

..

In GE (→FE) notes of the R.H. rhythm are distributed in such a way that the quaver is aligned with the 6th L.H. note. In the editors' opinion, this probably does not reflect Chopin's intention but we cannot state it definitely without [A]. The rhythmical structure of the bar, different e.g. from that in bars 29-36 & 53-62, as well as the local climax ending in this bar make a possible exception slightly more likely here. In the main text, we apply the regular rhythmic notation, so did EE.

category imprint: Interpretations within context; Differences between sources

issues: EE revisions , GE revisions , Dotted rhythms and triplets

b. 51-53

composition: Op. 2, Variations, complete

Rhythm in AsI, contextual interpretation

Rhythm in A (→GEFE,EE)

..

On the 2nd beat of each of these bars, the R.H. top voice is written down in AsI in twice as long rhythmic values than suggested by the time signature and the relation to the bottom voice: . Regardless of the mistake (cf. b. 45-46), it definitely means that the last notes of both voices should be performed simultaneously. However, a change introduced into A suggests that Chopin changed his mind and opted for a calmer rhythm, which, in turn, puts a greater emphasis on the independence of the solo part and the orchestral motifs using the following rhythm: .

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

issues: Dotted rhythms and triplets

b. 53-62

composition: Op. 27 No 1, Nocturne in C# minor

R.H. quaver over the 6th L.H. note in GE (→FE)

Regular rhythmic notation in EE


 

..

In GE (→FE) in bars 53-62, similarly to GE in bars 29-36, notes of the R.H. rhythm are distributed in such a way that the quaver is aligned with the 6th note of the L.H. In the editors' opinion, this probably does not reflect the notation of [A], and has no impact on the performance. We apply the regular rhythmic notation in the main text, so did EE.

category imprint: Interpretations within context; Differences between sources

issues: Inaccuracies in GE , Dotted rhythms and triplets

b. 77-82

composition: Op. 49, Fantaisie in F minor

Semiquaver over L.H. quaver in A & FE

Semiquaver after L.H. quaver in GE & EE

..

Moving the semiquavers in bars 77-78 and 81-82 beyond the 3rd quaver of the respective L.H. triplet is an arbitrary change by the revisers of GE and EE (in bar 77 GE mistakenly placed the semiquaver before the 3rd L.H. quaver). It suggests that the semiquavers should be performed after the respective accompaniment note, which is certainly contrary to Chopin's intention, clearly stated in the A notation. Cf. bars 245-249, see also the Nocturne in C minor, Op. 27 No. 1.
Similarly, in analogous bars 164-169 and 244-249.

category imprint: Differences between sources

issues: EE revisions , GE revisions , Dotted rhythms and triplets