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WN 17, Polonaise in B♭ major

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Rhythm

b. 44

composition: WN 17, Polonaise in B♭ major

Quavers in JC & EF

Dotted rhythm in PE
..  

category imprint: Differences between sources

issues: Dotted or even rhythm

b. 44-45

composition: WN 17, Polonaise in B♭ major

Contextual interpretation of JC & EF

GEF

PE
..

The notation of JC (repeated after bars 17-18) reflects an inaccurate draft notation of [AI]. The notation of GEF is formally correct, although in the light of the version of JC, lack of hold of the second f may be considered as an oversight. The version of FEF raises even more doubts; in this version a relevant slur appears in the written out in extenso repetition of the main part of the Polonaise. However, the notation is inaccurate – a quaver note was combined by a tie with the subsequent one, occurring a crotchet later. The origin of this error, as well as of the discrepancy between the notation of bars 44(r)-45(r) and both GEF and analogous bars (in both versions of EF) may be explained in many ways, yet we consider adding this tie in the latest hasty proofing of FEF to be the most possible explanation.

In the main text we give the improved notation of [A] (→PE).

category imprint: Interpretations within context; Differences between sources

issues: Errors in Fontana's editions , Fontana's revisions

b. 45

composition: WN 17, Polonaise in B♭ major

One voice in JC & EF

Two voices in PE
..

category imprint: Differences between sources

b. 45

composition: WN 17, Polonaise in B♭ major

Quaver d1 in JC

Quaver d1 in EF

Minim in PE
..

The extension of the d1 note, marked only in PE, is a typical Chopin's ploy. In bar 18, which is repeated in bar 45, the above mentioned edition features a less gracious notation with a clear display of the voices' convergence. The notation may have resulted from a misunderstanding of the notation of [A], hence we give here the equivalent simplest notation, used in bar 10.

The lower note of the sixth, f, is sustained with a tie to the f on the 3rd beat of the bar in JC, therefore, it has to be a minim. Writing it only as a quaver is a patent inaccuracy, most probably stemming from a simplified draft notation of [AI].

category imprint: Differences between sources

issues: Errors of JC

b. 47

composition: WN 17, Polonaise in B♭ major

No minim in JC & EF

Minim in PE
..

category imprint: Differences between sources