Issues : Uncertain slur continuation

b. 33-36

composition: Op. 28 No. 21, Prelude in B♭ major

5 slurs in A, literal reading

5 slurs in A, contextual interpretation

5 slurs in FC

3 slurs in FE (→EE)

2 slurs in GE

..

In the main text we give a contextual interpretation of the slurring of A – we consider the bottom slur in b. 33, which closes the line, to be inaccurate, since it is too short (like in a few other places, see b. 1). The clearly extended slurs in subsequent analogous bars undoubtedly reveal Chopin's intention. However, this notation was not reproduced correctly in any of the sources, which may be explained by revision (in all cases), an erroneous interpretation (FC) or carelessness (GE).

category imprint: Graphic ambiguousness

issues: Errors in FE , Inaccurate slurs in A , Errors in GE , FE revisions , Inaccuracies in FC , Uncertain slur continuation

b. 33-34

composition: Op. 23, Ballade in G minor

Slur to b. 34 in A, contextual interpretation

Slur in b. 33 in FE (→GE,EE)

..

Bar 33 ends the first side of A, and the R.H. slur written in it clearly suggests a continuation. However, on the new page, in bar 34, there is no completion of this slur. In none of the first editions does the slur extend to bar 34, however, in FE it extends beyond the last note of bar 33, which appears to be an insignificant inaccuracy, even if the engraver's intention was to convey the ambiguous notation of A. In the main text we provide a version with a slur leading to c2 in bar 34, which we consider a contextual interpretation of A.

category imprint: Graphic ambiguousness; Differences between sources

issues: Inaccuracies in FE , Inaccurate slurs in A , EE inaccuracies , Uncertain slur continuation

b. 35-36

composition: Op. 28 No. 17, Prelude in A♭ major

Slur from 2nd quaver in A

No slur in FC (→GE)

Slur from first quaver in FE

Continued slur in EE

..

The slur of A begins from the 2nd quaver, which we give in the main text. In FE and EE the slur starts earlier (in FE from the 1st quaver, while EE continue the slur from the previous line), which we deem inaccurate. In FC (→GE) the slur was overlooked. As far as the ending of the slur is concerned, since in the entire Prelude it is slurs/tenutos that prevail in similar situations – see the note to b. 4-5 – to the main text we adopt such an interpretation, compliant with FE (→EE).

category imprint: Graphic ambiguousness; Differences between sources; Editorial revisions

issues: Inaccuracies in FE , EE inaccuracies , Errors of FC , Uncertain slur continuation

b. 36-37

composition: Op. 30 No. 4, Mazurka in C# minor

Separate slurs in FC (→GE)

Continuous slur in FE (→EE)

..

In FC the slur at the end of bar 36 (which ends the line) may suggest that it should be continued, which, however, is not confirmed by the slur in bar 37. We consider the unequivocal beginning of the slur in bar 37 to be reliable. Due to this ambiguity, and also due to the earlier decision concerning the slurring in bars 32-33, in the main text we continue the FE slur. In analogous bars 44-45 all sources feature a continuous slur.

category imprint: Graphic ambiguousness; Differences between sources

issues: Inaccuracies in FC , Uncertain slur continuation

b. 37-39

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

Slur in bars 37-38 in GC (→GE)

Slur in bar 37 in FE, literal reading

Slur to bar 39 in EE

..

The slur in bar 37 in FE reaches the end of line, suggesting a continuation, however, there is no slur in bar 38. It is certainly a mistake because the slur in [A] looked most probably as the one carefully written in GC. Possibly authentic is also the longer slur in EE – Chopin could have written it while proofreading the basis to this edition.

category imprint: Differences between sources

issues: Errors in FE , Uncertain slur continuation , Authentic corrections of EE