mUltimate Chopin

Op. 10 No 3, Etude in E major

Text Compare Notes Sources Description

Issues : Omission of current key accidentals

b. 34

composition: Op. 10 No 3, Etude in E major

d2 in AI & A (→FE→EE2→EE3)

d2 in GE & EE4
..

The sound of d2 at the beginning of the bar does not raise any doubts both in the autographs and in FE and EE2 (→EE3). Lack of the  lowering d1 to d1 on the 2nd semiquaver in bar 34 in A (→FE1→GE,EE) is an obvious oversight of Chopin (in the manuscripts and first editions of his pieces, we find hundreds of similar inaccuracies). However, the mistake was corrected only in FE2, as the problem of incompliance of d2 at the beginning of the bar and d1 on the 2nd semiquaver was solved by the engraver of GE by deleting the  before d2. The erroneous version with d2 and d1 was introduced – most probably under the influence of GE – also in EE4. One has to underline once again that both autographs – in spite of inaccurate notation – are completely unanimous, as far as the use of the B minor, and not B major, chord is concerned; this version is then confirmed by both a proofreading of FE2 and pupils' copies, bearing numerous signs of working on the Etude with Chopin.

category imprint: Interpretations within context; Differences between sources

issues: EE revisions , Accidentals in different octaves , GE revisions , Omission of current key accidentals , Authentic corrections of FE

b. 45

composition: Op. 10 No 3, Etude in E major

..

Both autographs lack some of the necessary naturals in this bar, although these which are included allow for a clear interpretation of the text:

  • in AI there is no sign before c2 in the 3rd chord in the R.H., while the  before c is unnecessarily repeated on the 6th semiquaver in the bar (due to the brief notation of the octave, the sign concerns also the bottom C); 
  • in A there is no  before the bottom C at the 2nd semiquaver, while the only sign in the part of the R.H. is a  before c2 in the last chord.

The necessary signs were added in FE (→GE,EE), while in GE4 (→GE5), the unnecessary  at the end of the bar was removed.

category imprint: Interpretations within context; Differences between sources

issues: Accidentals in different octaves , GE revisions , Omission of current key accidentals , Authentic corrections of FE , Inaccuracies in A

b. 73-74

composition: Op. 10 No 3, Etude in E major

A & c1 in AI

c & c1 in A (→FE→GE,EE)
..

Lack of the  before the 6th semiquaver of the bottom voice in AI means that in both bars it is to be a c1. Knowing the final version, one can doubt whether Chopin simply forgot about the  before this note. The use of A as the 5th semiquaver in the L.H. is, however, a strong argument for the authenticity of the literally interpreted version of AI.

In A (→FE→EE2→EE3), there is no  before the last note in the R.H., which is a patent inaccuracy of the notation. In GE1 (→GE1a), the sign was completed in bar 74, while in the remaining editions – in both bars. 

category imprint: Interpretations within context; Differences between sources; Corrections & alterations

issues: EE revisions , Accidentals in different octaves , GE revisions , Omission of current key accidentals