IE1
Main text
A - Autograph
GE - German edition
GE1 - First German edition
FE - French edition
FE1 - First French edition
EE - English edition
EE1 - First English edition
EE2 - Corrected impression of EE1
IE - Italian edition
IE1 - First Italian edition
compare
  b. 52

d2 in A, literal reading

d2 in GE (→FE,EE,IE)

d2 (with ) suggested by the editors

In A there is no accidental before the chord's third, which results in d2 when interpreted literally. GE (→FE,EE,IE) considered it a mistake and added a  raising d2 to d2. Chopin would rarely write cautionary accidentals, hence the absence of a  before this note cannot be considered an argument for d2. On the other hand, the stylistic analysis does not allow us to clearly favour one of the versions:

  • the harmonic context in the adjacent bars allows for the use of both a B and a B minor chord in the discussed place;
  • although dis present in analogous bar 60, d1 would be unconceivable there, harmonically speaking;
  • in the version featuring d2 three subsequent four-bar phrases end in a B chord, which, on the one hand, enhances the wait for the expected E minor tonic chord; on the other hand, it gives the impression of a certain monotony.

In this situation, due to the absence of clear arguments for Chopin's mistake, in the main text we provide the A version, adding a cautionary  to the problematic note.

Compare the passage in the sources »

category imprint: Differences between sources; Editorial revisions

issues: GE revisions, Omission of current key accidentals, Errors of A

notation: Pitch

Go to the music

.