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Issues : Annotations in FESf

b. 522

composition: Op. 31, Scherzo in B♭ minor

g2 in A (→FC→GE, →FE→EE)

g2 in FESf
..

The natural lowering g2 to g2, written in ink in FESf, defines a version that, according to us, may be considered a potentially authentic variant:

  • Relation to the preceding, ascending sequence (in b. 520) was not approached by Chopin rigorously – cf. the prototype of those motifs in b. 53-56, where a descending chromatic sequence corresponds to an ascending diatonic sequence.
  • The resulting figure is strictly analogous to the next segments of the progression in b. 530 and 534.
  • The intervals resulting between the transitional notes and the ones belonging to the chords in b. 520-521 are whole tone e2-f2, semitone g2-a2 and semitone b2-c3, respectively; the figure in b. 522-523 includes the same scheme of descending intervals when the 4th quaver is g2: whole tone b2-a2, semitone g2-f2 and semitone e2-d2.
  • In this context, the note is clearly of transitional nature, without prejudice to the E major key, consolidated since b. 516.

category imprint: Differences between sources

issues: Annotations in teaching copies , Authentic post-publication changes and variants , Annotations in FESf

b. 550

composition: Op. 31, Scherzo in B♭ minor

C in A (→FC→GE, →FE→EE)

C in FESf
..

The flats added in FESf could not have been written by Chopin, since the copy of FESf comes from an impression released sometime after his death. According to us, the variant entered into FESf may be, however, authentic: the pupil could have written down a change indicated by Chopin in a copy he purchased later.
A stylistic analysis leads to the conclusion that Chopin could definitely have suggested such a variant, since he would willingly use a Neapolitan chord; moreover, in this specific place, the C major chord is an exact equivalent of the G major chord from b. 546, so the version of the progression in FESf sounds as naturally as the version of the remaining sources. 

category imprint: Differences between sources

issues: Annotations in teaching copies , Annotations in FESf