Issues : Constraint from piano range

b. 9

composition: Op. 28 No. 9, Prelude in E major

Single notes in sources

Octaves, our alternative suggestion

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Complementing the bass line with octaves seems to be advisable due to the shape of the motif (cf. b. 1), repeated in octaves in the next two bars (b. 10-11). The absence of those notes in the sources could have resulted from the limitations of the pianos at Chopin's disposal – their range did not go beyond C1 in the bass register. On the other hand, the absence of octaves can be linked to the  dynamics at the beginning of the crescendo – the fact that Chopin did not dispose of B2 does not have to mean that he wanted to use it. Therefore, the version with octaves can be considered an acceptable variant. Cf. the Scherzo in C Minor, Op. 39, b. 197 and 241.

category imprint: Editorial revisions

issues: Constraint from piano range

b. 239

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

B1-B in the sources

B2-B1 suggested by the editors

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The descending bass line in two previous bars suggests the use of a B2-Boctave, absent in the pianos being at Chopin's disposal (the range of his instruments reached C1).

category imprint: Editorial revisions

issues: Constraint from piano range

b. 241

composition: Op. 39, Scherzo in C♯ minor

B1 in EE, GC (→GE) & FE

B2-B1 proposed by the editors

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Lacking in the sources is the bottom note of the L.H. octave, B2. As the scale of Chopin's piano only reached down to C1, the addition seems more than justified. Cf. bar 491.

category imprint: Editorial revisions; Source & stylistic information

issues: Constraint from piano range

b. 315

composition: Op. 39, Scherzo in C♯ minor

EE, GC (→GE) & FE

Our suggestion

Alternative slurring

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Shortening of passages compared with the 19 corresponding places was caused most probably by a limited scale of the grand piano, as when Scherzo was composed most models had a scale range up to f4. Therefore, in the main text we suggest completing the figuration in compliance with the corresponding places, thus the slur needs to be appropriately modified in RH.

In EE the treble clef was omitted after the last rest.

category imprint: Editorial revisions; Source & stylistic information

issues: Constraint from piano range