mUltimate Chopin

Text Compare Notes Sources Description

Issues : Tenuto slurs

b. 76-77

composition: Op. 64 No 3, Waltz in A♭ major

Tenuto slur in bar 77 in A

Tie to g1 in FE (→GE,EE)
..

In A the g1 minim is supposed to be repeated in bar 77 – it is not combined with a tie with the previous one; moreover, Chopin provided it with a separate tenuto-slur. The tie, present in FE (→GE,EE), linking it to g1, held from bar 72, could have been added by Chopin. However, according to us, a mistake of the engraver, who could have misinterpreted the non-standard tenuto-slur (it is absent in the editions) or simply mistaken bar 77 with one of the previous ones, is more likely. Therefore, in the main text we stick to the notation of A. The version with a tie of g1 in bar 77 can be considered a variant.

category imprint: Differences between sources

issues: Errors in FE , Authentic corrections of FE , Tenuto slurs

b. 80

composition: Op. 35, Sonata in B♭ minor, Mvt I

Slur in GC, literal reading

Slur in GC (possible interpretation) & FE (→EE)

No slur in GE
..

The interpretation of the top slur in GC is not straightforward. In this rhythmical context, its leading to the final semiquaver seems natural. However, this would produce a concurrence of slurs on that semiquaver, which the notation of GC does not suggest, and what does not occur in any other source. It is therefore possible that the slur has a double meaning – similarly to the  sign – it indicates the tenuto of the dotted minim e2 as well as pertains to the suspension in the accompanying voices.
The lack of slur is undoubtedly a mistake of GE (like the absence of ).

category imprint: Graphic ambiguousness; Differences between sources

issues: Errors in GE , Inaccuracies in GC , Tenuto slurs

b. 84

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

Tenuto slur in A

Ordinary slur in GE (→FE→EE)
..

According to us, the slur in A is an example of a slur-tenuto, encountered on a number of occasions in Chopin's autographs. In the editions, the ending of the slur, dragged too far, was considered inaccurate.

category imprint: Graphic ambiguousness; Differences between sources

issues: Inaccuracies in GE , Tenuto slurs

b. 87

composition: Op. 23, Ballade in G minor

Slur from b2 in A, contextual interpretation

No slur in FE (→GE,EE)
..

The range of the slur over the b2 minim is not entirely clear in A – the placement of the beginning of the slur may suggest that it runs from the 1st note in the bar. However, a comparison with the slur in the next bar proves that both slurs refer to the syncopated b2 minims only; thus, they most probably emphasise the tenuto nature of these notes.
The omission of the slur by FE (→GE,EE) may be explained by the engraver being uncertain about the range and meaning of the slur. See also the next note.  

category imprint: Graphic ambiguousness; Differences between sources

issues: Errors in FE , Inaccurate slurs in A , Tenuto slurs

b. 128-130

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

Slur with tenuto ending in A

2 whole-bar slurs in GE1 (→FE)

Whole- & half-bar slur in EE

Slur in GE2
..

In the main text we give the slur of A, marking the range of the phrase, with a characteristic ending indicating a necessity of an accurate hold of the last long note (slur-tenuto). Two whole-bar slurs of GE (→FE, repeated inaccurately in EE) deprived the Chopin slurring of all nuances. GE2 generally restored the Chopin slur (without the extended "tenuto" ending).

category imprint: Differences between sources

issues: Errors in GE , GE revisions , EE inaccuracies , Tenuto slurs