mUltimate Chopin

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Issues : Authentic corrections of GE

b. 6

composition: Op. 21, Concerto in F minor, Mvt II

Sixth in A

No sixth in GE (→FE→EE)
..

It is difficult to state whether the omission of the minim sixth at the beginning of the bar is a mistake of the engraver or a result of Chopin's proofreading. According to us, the spread chord beginning the solo part constitutes a sufficient sound equivalent for the played chord ending the orchestra's introduction (cf. the compatible version of bar 96), which may be an argument for an intentional removal of this sixth (it cannot be excluded that, even if the engraver omitted this sixth accidentally, Chopin accepted this version). Whereas the chord of the strings in the version with orchestra is only a background for the entrance of the soloist, playing a sixth in the version for one piano diverts attention from the beginning of the solo part to a certain extent.

category imprint: Differences between sources

issues: Authentic corrections of GE

b. 6

composition: Op. 21, Concerto in F minor, Mvt III

3 staccato dots in A & GE2

4 dots in GE1 (→FE→EE1→EE2)

6 dots in EE3
..

The dot over c3, present in GE1 (→FE→EE), could have been added by Chopin. According to us, however, an inaccuracy of the engraver is more likely; therefore, in the main text we adhere to the version of A. In GE2 the additional dot was omitted, whereas in EE3 two dots more were added to four dots of EE2, hence all quavers in this bar are provided with dots (probably by analogy with bar 330).

category imprint: Differences between sources

issues: EE revisions , GE revisions , Authentic corrections of GE

b. 7

composition: Op. 25 No 1, Etude in A♭ major

No signs in AI, CDP, A (→GE1), EE & GE3

  in FE & GE1a (→GE2)
..

The pair of hairpins was added by Chopin in a proofreading of GE1a (→GE2). The signs are also in FE, perhaps also added at the time of proofreading. In GE3 they were removed as part of comparing the compatibility of this edition with the original handwritten base text (A).

category imprint: Differences between sources; Corrections & alterations

issues: GE revisions , Authentic corrections of GE

b. 7

composition: Op. 23, Ballade in G minor

e1 in A (→FE→EE1→EE2)

d1 in GE & EE3
..

The version of GE may be either a revision of this edition (cf. the comment on b. 45-47) or a variation introduced by Chopin (e.g. along with Lento – cf. the comment on b. 1). The vast majority of arguments are for the former, i.e. for this chord being arbitrarily revised in GE:

  • clear notation of A, repeated without changes in FE, which was proofread by Chopin twice;
  • testimonies of Chopin's pupils and friends – Marcelina Czartoryska, Friederike Streicher, Ferdinand Hiller and Adolf Gutmann.

Therefore, in the main text we give e1, considering d1 a variant of uncertain authenticity.
The change in EE3 must have been introduced on the basis of a comparison with GE.

category imprint: Differences between sources

issues: EE revisions , GE revisions , Authentic corrections of GE

b. 8

composition: Op. 25 No 9, Etude in G♭ major

a in chord in GC, FE, EE1 (→EE2) & GE2 (→GE3)

No a in chord in GE1 & EE3
..

Omitting the a note in the 2nd chord could have been Chopin's correction, introduced together with the changes in the Etude in A major, No. 1. The composer could have considered the chord without a as an improvement, due to a slightly clearer sound, while maintaining both the completeness of the harmonic structure and logics of the voice leading. According to us, it is, however, the engraver's oversight that seems to be more likely here, as in this Etude – same as in the remaining ones, except for the first one – there are no other traces of possible Chopin interventions in GE1, while omissions of a clearly written note in the base text are to be found in the first German edition, e.g., in the Etude in A minor, No. 4, bar 37. The version of GE1 was repeated in EE3, whereas in GE2 (→GE3), the four-note version of the base text was introduced (GC).

category imprint: Differences between sources; Corrections & alterations

issues: EE revisions , Errors in GE , Authentic corrections of GE