mUltimate Chopin

(Op. 4), Sonata in C minor, Mvt III

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Slurs

b. 10-11

composition: (Op. 4), Sonata in C minor, Mvt III

2 slurs, 2nd to f1 in A, literal reading

Continuous slur to f1 in GE (→FE,IE) & EE2

No slur in EE1

Continuous slur to e1 suggested by the editors
..

The division of the slur in A most probably resulted from the care for correct notation, with slurs placed on the side of noteheads, which was considered unnecessary and potentially misleading already in GE (→FE,EE,IE). We include this modification in the main text; moreover, we suggest leading the slur to e1, ending this quaver sequence, since similarly shortened slurs are quite common in A – cf. the L.H. slurs in bar 13 and 15, as well as, e.g. mov. IV, bars 28-30 or 195.
The absence of the slur in EE1 is due to the engraver's mistake, corrected in EE2.

category imprint: Differences between sources; Editorial revisions

issues: EE revisions , Errors in EE , Inaccurate slurs in A , GE revisions

b. 13

composition: (Op. 4), Sonata in C minor, Mvt III

Slur to penultimate quaver in A, literal reading

Slur to last quaver in GE (→FE,EE,IE)
..

The ending of the A slur is almost certainly inaccurate, as is the slur in bar 15, which is proven by the comparison with identical bar 14. The slur was extended already in GE (→FE,EE,IE).

category imprint: Differences between sources; Editorial revisions

issues: Inaccurate slurs in A , GE revisions

b. 15

composition: (Op. 4), Sonata in C minor, Mvt III

a1 tied in A, less likely reading

b1-c2 slur in A, contextual interpretation

a1 tied & b1-c2 slur in GE (→FE,EE,IE)
..

It is unclear which notes the middle one of the 3 slurs/ties combining the chords on the 3rd and 4th beat of the bar in A concerns – a1 (which would make it a tie) or b1-c2. According to us, although its left-hand ending is at the pitch of a1, it is the other possibility that is more likely, that is a b1-c2 slur. It is supported by the following arguments:

  • graphic similarities between all 3 slurs – their right-hand endings are placed higher, which suggests that all of them concern the ascending second motifs, d1-e1, b1-c2, d2-e2;
  • the comparison with the preceding bar, in which, in an analogous situation, Chopin wrote 2 slurs clearly referring to the ascending motifs, which indicates that a1 should be repeated.

In GE (→FE,EE,IE) the problem was "solved" by adding a 4th slur, which is an arbitrary decision frequently encountered in Chopin's pieces – cf., e.g. mov. IV of the Sonata, bar 57.

category imprint: Differences between sources

issues: GE revisions

b. 15

composition: (Op. 4), Sonata in C minor, Mvt III

Slur to penultimate quaver in A, literal reading

Slur to last quaver in GE (→FE,EE,IE)
..

The comparison with the preceding bar proves that the slur ending earlier here is due to Chopin's inaccuracy in A. The editions prolonged the slur, which was certainly right in this case.

category imprint: Differences between sources; Editorial revisions

issues: Inaccurate slurs in A , GE revisions

b. 17

composition: (Op. 4), Sonata in C minor, Mvt III

Slur in A (→GE→FE,IE) & EE2

No slur in EE1
..

The missing slur in EE1 is most probably due to the engraver's oversight, corrected in EE2.

category imprint: Differences between sources

issues: EE revisions , Errors in EE