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WN 17, Polonaise in B♭ major

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Verbal indications

b. 63-64

composition: WN 17, Polonaise in B♭ major

No indication in JC

 in bar 64 in EF

 in bar 63 in PE
..

In the main text we give  in bar 63, believing that PE recreated the notation of [A] faithfully. According to us, the engraver's error cannot be totally excluded, while placing a new dynamic indication only in bar 64, as it is in EF, seems to be justified due to the following reasons:

  • the indication diminuendo in bar 62 naturally merges with the descending semiquaver figure, whose homogeneity suggests continuation of the dynamic change at least to the 4th quaver in bar 63 (cf. analogous in many aspects two-bar phrases in bars 70-71 and 74-75);
  • indicating new dynamics is more justified at the beginning of a new phrase.

category imprint: Differences between sources

b. 64

composition: WN 17, Polonaise in B♭ major

No indication in JC & EF

​legatiss. in PE
..

The meaning of the indication legatiss., coming from PE (and probably from [A]), is not entirely clear if we take into consideration the slurs which accompany it. According to us, Chopin could have in mind something else than only a linear legatissimo:  or even: .

category imprint: Differences between sources

b. 64-66

composition: WN 17, Polonaise in B♭ major

..

The indications cresc. in bar 64 and dimin. in bar 66 are only in PE. Similarly in bar 100 and 102.

category imprint: Differences between sources

b. 66

composition: WN 17, Polonaise in B♭ major

No marking in JC & PE

 in EF
..

 in EF is probably an addition by Fontana, however, it may be considered as an addition to the authentic dynamic concept emerging from the indications of PE.

category imprint: Differences between sources

b. 68-69

composition: WN 17, Polonaise in B♭ major

No indications in JC & EF

sotto voce, ,  in PE
..

We give the performance indications of PE, which undoubtedly come from [A]. The sources based on the previous autograph – JC and EF – do not give any indications.

category imprint: Differences between sources