mUltimate Chopin

Text Compare Notes Sources Description

Issues : Errors of A

b. 4

composition: Op. 28 No. 8, Prelude in F♯ minor

a1 in A (→FC→GE1), literal reading

a1 in FE (→EE) & GE2 (→GE3)
..

When interpreted literally, the version of A (→FC→GE1), in which the 4th demisemiquaver on the last beat of the bar is an a1, is most probably a mistake, although the interval structure of the four middle demisemiquavers (from the 3rd to the 6th in the eight-note figure) is strictly analogous to the seven preceding figures. It is indicated by a broader tonal context of this phrase and of the entire Prelude – the second of those four notes is never altered, while the key to which Chopin returns in the 2nd half of that bar is F minor, and not F major. A natural was added – most probably by Fontana – in FE (→EE); an identical addition was also introduced in GE2.

category imprint: Interpretations within context; Differences between sources

issues: Omissions to cancel alteration , GE revisions , Errors of A , FE revisions

b. 4

composition: Op. 2, Variations, complete

A in A (→GE1→EE1)

A in A (→GE1→EE1)

F in GE2 (→GE3,FESB), FE & EE2 (→EE3)

F in GE2 (→GE3,FESB), FE & EE2 (→EE3)
..

We consider the version of A (→GE1) to be erroneous, which is indicated by the orchestral part – an F in cellos and double basses is both in the later version of AsI and in the voices of GE and FE. The correct version of FE almost certainly resulted from Chopin's correction, probably introduced still into the copy of GE1 serving as the basis for that edition – there are no visible traces of changes in print. The corrections present in GE2 (→GE3,FESB) and EE2 (→EE3) can be considered revisions on the basis of orchestral parts. In the case of GE2, Chopin's intervention is also likely; his participation in the preparation of that edition is generally questionable, yet it cannot be excluded to a limited extent.
In the basic version of AsI, which is an earlier edition of this orchestral introduction, neither of these versions can be used.

category imprint: Differences between sources

issues: EE revisions , Terzverschreibung error , GE revisions , Errors of A , Authentic corrections of FE , Authentic corrections of GE

b. 5

composition: Op. 27 No 2, Nocturne in D♭ major

g in GE (→FE→EE)

a in A
..

The last note of A (a), probably erroneous, was corrected to g flat in GE (→FE→EE).

category imprint: Differences between sources; Corrections & alterations

issues: Errors of A , Accompaniment changes , Authentic corrections of GE

b. 5

composition: Op. 24 No. 3, Mazurka in A♭ major

in AI

Without  in A

 in GE (→FE→EE)

Our suggestion
..

A has no pedal release mark in this bar. A comparison with the concurrent version in all analogous bars (9, 29 & 33) lets us regard this lack as a mistake. In the main text, in keeping with the A notation in these bars we supplement the  mark at the end of bar. In GE1 (→FE→EE) the asterisk was added under a rest, in accordance to a rule applied by GE in the entire opus. It is probably an editor's revision although Chopin's correction cannot be completely ruled out.

The mark's placement in AI is not quite clear— falls under the R.H. quaver g1 but before the rest in the L.H. We take the latter relation as authoritative.

category imprint: Graphic ambiguousness; Interpretations within context; Differences between sources

issues: GE revisions , Errors of A , Authentic corrections of GE

b. 5-8

composition: Op. 10 No 10, Etude in A♭ major

..

In the 2nd four-bar section Chopin wrote the accidentals less carefully. In A (→FE) there are no naturals before b2 in bar 5 and d3 in bars 7-8. These patent oversights were corrected in GE and EE (in EE3 the  in bar 7 was not completed).

category imprint: Interpretations within context; Differences between sources

issues: EE revisions , Accidentals in different octaves , GE revisions , Errors of A