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WN 17, Polonaise in B♭ major

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b. 5

composition: WN 17, Polonaise in B♭ major

Rhythm in JC read literally

JC (contextual interpretation), PE & EF
..

Rhythmic values in the part of the R.H. in JC are not erroneous, yet a mistake of the copyist while writing such a rhythm which is in the remaining sources is more plausible. 

category imprint: Interpretations within context; Differences between sources

issues: Errors of JC

b. 6

composition: WN 17, Polonaise in B♭ major

No indication in JC & PE

dim. in EF
..

The indication dim., in accordance with the natural phrasing, may correspond to Chopin's intentions, despite the fact that most probably it was added in EF by Fontana. Cf. the remark in bar 9. 

category imprint: Differences between sources

b. 6

composition: WN 17, Polonaise in B♭ major

Rhythm in JC (literal reading)

Rhythm in JC (interpretation) and EF

PE
..

The rhythm in EF (equal quavers at the end of the bar) and – despite a mistake – in JC most probably corresponds to the notation of [AI]. In [A] (→PE), which is undoubtedly a later version, Chopin homogenised the rhythm of the 3rd beat of the bar in bars 1-3 and 5-7.   

category imprint: Differences between sources

issues: Errors of JC

b. 7

composition: WN 17, Polonaise in B♭ major

..

The sources differ in the notation of the first chord in the R.H.:

  • in JC, all three components are combined with one stem; such a kind of notation can often be found in Chopin sources, also in autographs. However, taking into consideration numerous errors and inaccuracies, JC cannot be considered as a fully reliable source in terms of the notation's details.
  • in EF there is a two-part notation: the minim a-e1 has a separate stem pointing downwards.
  • in PE the notation is unclear; probably it refers to a two-part notation in which the minim a-e1 has a stem pointing upwards. This is the interpretation we give in the main text.

category imprint: Differences between sources; Source & stylistic information

issues: Different values of chord components

b. 8

composition: WN 17, Polonaise in B♭ major

No indication in JC & EF

PE
..

The indication given in PE probably comes from [A].

category imprint: Differences between sources