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Op. 49, Fantaisie in F minor

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b. 1-6

composition: Op. 49, Fantaisie in F minor

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In bars 1-2 and 5-7 the opening sequence of the Fantasy is written down in FCs with the use of one-part notation, without the L.H. part. Moreover, nothing points to the fact that the motifs should be doubled in the lower octave; however, it is highly likely:

  • All stems are pointing upwards, although Chopin would generally write stems under noteheads. This suggests that space was left for the L.H. part (below the written-down line).
  • No rests for the part of the second hand.
  • This phrase having been texturally diversified in bars 11-12, in which the melody is doubled and sometimes even tripled in lower octaves, is natural only when both hands perform in unison already in bars 1-2 and 5-7. Otherwise the contrast seems too considerable and unjustified by the phrase development.

See also bar 7.

category imprint: Interpretations within context; Source & stylistic information

issues: Bass register changes

b. 3

composition: Op. 49, Fantaisie in F minor

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In FCs on the 4th beat of the bar there is only a c2-f2 fourth in the R.H., which is most probably a mistake by the copyist, committed at the time of reading Chopin's draft (perhaps vague). In this place, omitting the chord's third is totally unjustified, neither by the chord's sound nor by the voice leading. It is all the more unlikely given that this empty interval would also have to appear in bar 13, which is marked as a repetition of bar 3 in FCs.

category imprint: Differences between sources; Source & stylistic information

b. 3

composition: Op. 49, Fantaisie in F minor

e1-c2 in A (→GE) & FE2 (→EE)

e1-b1 in FE1
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The FE1 version featuring b1 as the topmost note must be erroneous and was corrected – perhaps by Chopin – in FE2 (→EE).

category imprint: Differences between sources

issues: Errors in FE , Authentic corrections of FE

b. 7

composition: Op. 49, Fantaisie in F minor

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In FCs the 1st crotchet in the bar is written as an E with an 8 marking the bottom octave (E1). Taking into account the fact that octave doublings are marked neither in bars 5-6 nor 1-2, one could assume the 8 marking in this place to be a cue that an octave is supposed to appear only just here, which, according to us, is highly unlikely – see the note on bars 1-7. Perhaps this 8 means that the octave is to be played by left hand only, which would explain the different notation compared with the previous bars, in which the octaves were supposed to be played by both hands. However, it is most likely an irrelevant inconsistency resulting from poorly thought-out and sketchy notation.

category imprint: Source & stylistic information

b. 8

composition: Op. 49, Fantaisie in F minor

c1 in chord in A (→GE) & FE2 (→EE)

No c1 in FE1
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The missing c1 in FE1 is most probably an oversight by the copyist or by the engraver. The mistake was corrected – most probably at Chopin's request – in FE2 (→EE).

category imprint: Differences between sources

issues: Authentic corrections of FE