mUltimate Chopin

WN 17, Polonaise in B♭ major

Text Compare Notes Sources Description
Select: 
Category
All
Graphic ambiguousness
Interpretations within context
Differences between sources
Editorial revisions
Corrections & alterations
Source & stylistic information
Notation
All
Pitch
Rhythm
Slurs
Articulation, Accents, Hairpins
Verbal indications
Pedalling
Fingering
Ornaments
Shorthand & other
Importance
All
Important
Main
Undo Clear

b. 79

composition: WN 17, Polonaise in B♭ major

..

We add a compulsory cautionary  before d4.

category imprint: Editorial revisions

b. 79

composition: WN 17, Polonaise in B♭ major

No slurs in JC

Slurs in EF

Slur in PE

Our suggestion
..

The slurs of EF are almost certainly a result of additions made by Fontana. In the most probably authentic slur of PE it is its ending that raises some doubts. According to us, it is very likely that the notation in this place is inaccurate, while Chopin's intention was to underline the lack of rests in the entire part of this phrase with the legato articulation. Therefore, to the main text we adopt the slur of PE, accordingly modified in this detail. 

category imprint: Differences between sources

b. 79

composition: WN 17, Polonaise in B♭ major

Dotted semiquaver in JC & EF

Semiquaver & rest in PE
..

The compatible versions of the rhythm in JC and EF are certainly earlier. The rest visible in PE after the first note of the bar and the slur embracing its subsequent part point to the crystallisation of Chopin's articulation and phrasing concepts in [A] in bars 78-79.

category imprint: Differences between sources

b. 80-81

composition: WN 17, Polonaise in B♭ major

No markings in JC

dim.  in EF

  in PE
..

Despite the fact that the dynamic markings of EF and PE, partially compatible in bars 80 and 81, are not entirely contradictory, they indicate rather different concepts. In the main text we follow the base text, i.e. PE, as the markings of EF were probably written by Fontana. Cf. bars 79-80. 

category imprint: Differences between sources

b. 80

composition: WN 17, Polonaise in B♭ major

a3 in JC & PE

b3 in EF
..

It is hard to determine, how the discrepancy between a3, featured at the beginning of the bar in JC and PE, and b3 in EF was created. In the main text we give a3, which was undoubtedly written by Chopin and it is probably the only authentic version.

category imprint: Differences between sources