mUltimate Chopin

WN 17, Polonaise in B♭ major

Text Compare Notes Sources Description

Issues : Errors of JC

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. 9

composition: WN 17, Polonaise in B♭ major

..

In JC, FEF, and PE, the 5th quaver f is not extended to the value of a crotchet. It is certainly a mistake (the notation's inaccuracy), as the necessity to extend stems from the presence of the tie sustaining this note to the minim f in bar 10. Moreover, in JC, the last quaver, f1, is written erroneously in a two-part form. FEF has a correct notation.

category imprint: Source & stylistic information

issues: Errors of JC , Errors in PE , Errors in Fontana's editions , Fontana's revisions

b. 10-18

composition: WN 17, Polonaise in B♭ major

Quaver d1 in JC

Quaver d1 in EF

Minim in PE
..

The extension of the note d1 in bars 10 and 18, marked only in PE, is a typical Chopin's ploy. In bar 18 of this edition, an equivalent notation was applied, showing exactly the voices' coincidence. The notation may have resulted from a misunderstanding of the notation of [A], hence in both places we give the simplest notation used in bar 10.

The lower note of the sixth, f, is a quaver in JC, which is a patent inaccuracy in relation to the tie sustaining it into f on the 3rd beat of the bar (see the next remark). According to us, it is yet probable that it corresponds to the notation of [AI] and illustrates the process of gradual improvement of the notation from bare quavers to the precise notation of ties of some of the notes. 

category imprint: Differences between sources

issues: Errors of JC

b. 13

composition: WN 17, Polonaise in B♭ major

..

In JC, the last third in the bar does not have a quaver flag, which is a patent error. The same applies to bar 40, marked in this manuscript as the repetition of bar 13.

category imprint: Interpretations within context; Differences between sources

issues: Errors of JC

b. 14

composition: WN 17, Polonaise in B♭ major

Sixth in JC & EF

f in PE
..

In relation to the version of [AI] (→JC) and EF, in [A] (→PE) Chopin slightly reduced the texture of the accompaniment in this and the previous bar. He also underlined its syncopated character with the use of accents (cf. also the remark concerning the R.H.). In bar 14 the change concerns only the graphic and pianistic issues, for if we consider the authentic pedalling, the sound effect of both versions is the same, as far as the harmony is concerned.

category imprint: Differences between sources

issues: Errors of JC