b. 52
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 d1 is 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