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Op. 10 No 12, Etude in C minor

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Verbal indications

b. 50

composition: Op. 10 No 12, Etude in C minor

 in A, literal reading

 in A, interpretation

 in FE (→GE,EE) 

Our variant suggestion
..

The motif, opening the return of the main theme of the Etude, is provided with  in A and in FE (→GE,EE) – with . Although  was probably overlooked, Chopin did not return it at the time of proofreading FE, yet he added the hairpins. Renouncement of indicating dynamic level in the returning theme, in which dynamic contrasts play such a crucial role, does not seem to be convincing; however, Chopin could have taken into account the fact that  is valid here on the basis of the indication in bar 45. Due to this fact the hairpins of FE should have been regarded as the main version (cf. bars 43-45). On the other hand, as the comparison with the remaining appearances of the theme clearly suggests that the composer considered both indications to be necessary to determine the dynamics and character of this motif, we believe that including  next to the hairpins is equally justified.

Arrangement of the mark in A – see the remark concerning bars 51-63.

category imprint: Differences between sources

issues: Errors in FE

b. 51-63

composition: Op. 10 No 12, Etude in C minor

 &  in A

FE (→GE,EE) 

Our suggestion
..

In A the dynamic marks –  and particularly  – in bars 51-53, 60 and 62-63 are written only on the 4th beat of the bar, sometimes on  marks. According to us, it is an example of use of an earlier notation convention by Chopin – see bars 10-12. In FE (→GE,EE) only one of the indications was reproduced in accordance with A (bar 52), some of them were overlooked (in separately discussed bars 61-62) and the remaining ones were arranged in such way so they concern entire octave motifs pursuant to the currently binding notation rules. Cf. the remarks concerning  marks in bars 51-63.

category imprint: Interpretations within context; Differences between sources

issues: Authentic corrections of FE , Centrally placed marks

b. 61-62

composition: Op. 10 No 12, Etude in C minor

 &  in A

No markings in FE (→GE,EE) 

 &  suggested by the editors
..

Lack of  and  in the editions is most probably a result of the engraver's distraction – cf. the remark on ties in bar 62. In the main text we move  to the beginning of the motif – see the remark concerning bars 51-63.

category imprint: Differences between sources

issues: Errors in FE

b. 69

composition: Op. 10 No 12, Etude in C minor

 in A (→FE→GE)

 in EE
..

It is hard to determine whether lack of  in EE is a result of a mistake or revision.

category imprint: Differences between sources

issues: Errors in EE

b. 80

composition: Op. 10 No 12, Etude in C minor

..

in GE Chopin's abbreviation rall. was replaced with its extended version rallent. 

category imprint: Differences between sources

issues: GE revisions