EE1
Main text
A - Autograph
GE - German edition
GE1 - First German edition
GE2 - Second German edition
GE3 - Later impression of GE2
FE - French edition
FE1 - First French edition
FED - Dubois copy
FES - Stirling copy
EE - English edition
EE1 - First English edition
EE2 - Second impression of EE1
EE3 - Revised impression of EE2
compare
  b. 28

The rhythm of A (interpretation)

GE1 (erroneous rhythm)

FE (→EE)

Determining Chopin's intention related to the rhythm on the 3rd beat of the bar encounters significant difficulties here. A erroneously has a quaver and two demisemiquavers () in the upper voice, probably changed from semiquavers (). Therefore, in our proposal of completing Chopin's notation we preserve those elements of notation which may result from an original correction.

A rhythmic error is also featured in GE1, which may be considered an unfinished attempt to correct the version of A. Ultimately, it was probably the version of GE2 (→GE3) that was intended to be introduced, hence we adopt it as an interpretation of the text of GE1. The version may also be considered an alternative to our interpretation of the rhythm of A – while changing the rest and the last note, Chopin could have not realise the mistake concerning the less important element out of the two (the rest). After all, the sound effect of this version is actually the same as of our proposal.

The remaining question is the authenticity of the rhythm of FE, which still could be a result of Chopin's correction. Therefore, it would be a return to the original concept and at the same time an example of the composer's hesitation. Moreover, it cannot be excluded that the corrections in A resulted entirely from inattention – Chopin would change semiquavers into demisemiquavers at the beginning of the bar and in three previous ones, so he could start correcting the described place sort of "on the run", without thoroughly checking if the change corresponds to his vision at all. In this situation, the correction of FE would return the only intended rhythm in this place.

Compare the passage in the sources »

category imprint: Interpretations within context; Differences between sources

issues: Errors resulting from corrections, GE revisions, Rhythmic errors, Authentic corrections of FE

notation: Rhythm

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