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Op. 45, Prelude in C♯ minor

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Pedalling

b. 38

composition: Op. 45, Prelude in C♯ minor

 in FE (→EE)

No marking in GE ( in bar 39)
..

The difference in placing the  mark can be attributed to a not very precise notation of handwritten base texts of first editions, as in Chopin’s autographs the notation of pedalling is sometimes ambiguous. In the main text we propose one of the source versions.

category imprint: Differences between sources

b. 39-50

composition: Op. 45, Prelude in C♯ minor

 in FE (→EE)

GE

Our variant suggestion
..

The placement of  marks in bars 39-40 and analogous ones shows consequent discrepancies between GE and FE (→EE). According to the editors, both pedalling concepts are authentic and can be successfully applied in performance practice. Due to this fact, we propose a text in which they are juxtaposed in the variant form.

category imprint: Differences between sources

b. 39

composition: Op. 45, Prelude in C♯ minor

 in FE (→EE)

GE

Our suggestion
..

Different placements of the  mark in bars 38-39 may result from not entirely precise notation of handwritten base texts of first editions. The pedalling notation in Chopin's works is sometimes ambiguous – cf. the remark concerning bars 26-27. In the main text we consider one of the source versions and we propose a pedal depressed together with the appearance of the bass note of the E major chord as an alternative version. It will enable achieving a clear sound of the passage also on contemporary pianos.

category imprint: Interpretations within context; Differences between sources; Editorial revisions

b. 47-48

composition: Op. 45, Prelude in C♯ minor

No marking in FE (→EE1)

 in GE

EE2

Our suggestion
..

Lack of  mark in FE (→EE1) is a patent error, as in bar 48 there is a  mark. In EE2 the notation was completed on the basis of an analogous situation in bars 38-39, however, it does not have to follow the notation of Chopin's autograph. In the main text we give the version of GE, completed with the proposition of a pedal depressed together with the appearance of the bass note of the F major chord, which enables achieving a clear sound of the passage also on contemporary pianos.

category imprint: Interpretations within context; Differences between sources; Editorial revisions

issues: EE revisions , Errors in FE

b. 51-54

composition: Op. 45, Prelude in C♯ minor

No markings in FE (→EE1)

Pedalling in GE

EE2
..

Leaving a lone  mark in bar 51 in FE (→EE1) seems to be a mistake. However, it cannot be exluded that it was Chopin himself who made the mistake, as the incomplete pedal marks were already in [A1]. The pedalling of EE2 was most probably taken from GE and the fact of moving the changes of pedal to the end of bars 53 and 54 was probably motivated by graphic issues and was not meant to indicate an earlier change of pedal.

category imprint: Differences between sources

issues: EE revisions , Errors in FE