mUltimate Chopin

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Issues : Authentic corrections of GE

b. 290

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

c2-f2 in A

f2 in GE (→FE→EE)

c2-f2 with  suggested by the editors
..

One can see a Chopin proofreading in the well-sounding version of GE (→FE→EE). However, an oversight of the engraver of GE1 also cannot be excluded; the engraver could have been influenced by the notation of the previous bar, including this type of coincidence of the voices at the beginning of the 2nd, 3rd and 4th group of semiquavers. Due to this reason, in the main text we give the version of A. However, the version of the editions, perhaps the latest authentic one, must be considered an equal variant.

category imprint: Differences between sources

issues: Errors in GE , Authentic corrections of GE

b. 290

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

Slur in A

Slur in GE (→FE→EE)

Slur suggested by the editors
..

According to us, while the slurs present in the sources are authentic, both the slur of A, not embracing the 2nd half of the bar, and the whole-bar slur of GE (→FE→EE), added perhaps by Chopin, can be, however, inaccurate. Therefore, in the main text we suggest a slur including the most certain elements of the source versions – the beginning of the slur in A and the ending in the editions.

category imprint: Interpretations within context; Differences between sources; Editorial revisions

issues: Inaccuracies in GE , Authentic corrections of GE

b. 293-295

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

Shorter  in A

Different  in GE1 (→FE)

Longer  in EE & GE2
..

We give the  hairpin in the main text on the basis of A. It is the only version whose authenticity does not raise any doubts. The musically sensible version of GE1 (→FE) may be considered an equal variant; however, it may be a result of the engraver's inaccuracy. In the version of EE and GE2 one can see an arbitrary attempt to unify the notation of GE1 (→FE) or another inaccuracy.

category imprint: Differences between sources

issues: EE revisions , Scope of dynamic hairpins , GE revisions , Authentic corrections of GE

b. 296

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

..

A has an a1 as the last note in the L.H. It is almost certainly a mistake – cf. analogous figures in bars 300, 302 and 304-306. Mistakes in the number of ledger lines are the most frequent pitch errors committed by Chopin (excluding those related to the notation of accidentals). GE (→FE→EE) features the correct text, which can be ascribed to Chopin's proofreading or a fortunate mistake, since there are no visible traces of correction in print, whereas the note in A, despite three ledger lines, is written lower than the previous g1.
In the discussed place, there is a visible correction in A. The deletions are actually very precise, yet their placement allows us to indicate e1 and d1 as possibly crossed out original (or only erroneous) last two notes.

category imprint: Interpretations within context; Differences between sources

issues: Errors resulting from corrections , Terzverschreibung error , Errors in the number of ledger lines , Errors of A , Authentic corrections of GE

b. 297-298

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

Motivic slurs in A (→GE1)

Whole-bar slurs in FE

Whole-bar slurs in both hands in EE

Motivic slurs in both hands in GE2
..

It cannot be excluded that the slurs of GE1, compliant with A, were corrected by Chopin in the last phase of proofreading, whereas the whole-bar long slurs of FE reproduce the state prior to the proofreading. Traces of such a change are visible in GE1 in a similar situation in bars 295-296. Anyway, the slurs of FE (→EE) are certainly erroneous, whereas the analogous slurs added in EE in the L.H. are inauthentic – it is difficult to assume that Chopin would order to copy an erroneous slurring. The slurs in the L.H. added in GE2 actually specify the notation of A, yet they cannot come from Chopin, since the edition was developed after his death on the basis of GE1 compared with A. In this situation, it can be considered almost certain that all slurs in the L.H. added in EE and GE2 in the entire section until bar 308 are an arbitrary revision – cf. notes on bars 293-294, 295-304, 301-302, 303-304 and 306-308.

category imprint: Differences between sources

issues: EE revisions , Errors in FE , GE revisions , Authentic corrections of GE , Corrected slurs of Op. 21 in GE1