mUltimate Chopin

Op. 45, Prelude in C♯ minor

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Pedalling

b. 4-5

composition: Op. 45, Prelude in C♯ minor

 in FE

GE & EE
..

The placement of the  mark in FE1 literally means that the pedal should be depressed on the last beat of bar 4, which for harmonic reasons could not be intended by Chopin. Such notation probably results from misunderstanding the autograph, in which the mark might have been placed that way due to lack of space under the very low note (C1) in bar 5. The notation of FE2, in which bar 4 ends a line of text, is definitely erroneous. EE and GE have the  placed correctly in bar 5.

category imprint: Differences between sources

issues: Errors in FE

b. 5-22

composition: Op. 45, Prelude in C♯ minor

 in FE (→EE)

GE

Our variant suggestion
..

The placement of  marks in bars 5-6 and analogous bars (bars 5-12 and 19-22 on the same page) shows consistent discrepancies between GE and FE (→EE). In the editors' opinion, both pedalling concepts are authentic and may be used in performance practice. For that reason we give the text in which they are shown as variants. 

category imprint: Differences between sources

b. 8-22

composition: Op. 45, Prelude in C♯ minor

 in FE (→EE) & GE

Our variant suggestion
..

The moment of pedal depression at the transition between bars 8-9 and analogous bars is not marked in the uniform manner in the sources –  appears at the beginning of bars 9 and 13, but at the end of bar 22. Similar differences occur further on in the text as well. Even if we assume that this was the result of inaccurately notating or reading autographs, it is difficult to determine without seeing those autographs which notation complies with Chopin's intentions  As in each one of those places both versions make sense, in the main text we propose the variant solution everywhere, in which the mark without brackets indicates the version that is recommended from the practical point of view. 

category imprint: Interpretations within context; Editorial revisions

b. 18

composition: Op. 45, Prelude in C♯ minor

 in FE (→EE)

GE
..

The difference in pedalling may be connected with the different sounding of the penultimate note of the bar. However, just like in the case of the note - one must take into account the possibility of errors or inaccuracies of notation. In this particular case, the version of GE is more likely to be inaccurate, as whole-bar pedals are the most common pedalling variants in this edition and appear in all the adjacent bars. For that reason we adopt the more certain pedalling of FE (→EE) as the main text.

category imprint: Differences between sources

b. 23-26

composition: Op. 45, Prelude in C♯ minor

 in FE (→EE)

GE

Our variant suggestion
..

Placing the  marks in bars 23-24 and 25-26 shows consequent discrepancies between GE and FE (→EE). According to the editors, both ways of pedalling are authentic and can be successfully applied in practice, hence we propose to juxtapose them in the variant form.

category imprint: Differences between sources