The version of EE is most probably a variant introduced by Chopin in the base text to this edition. An identical change was introduced in EE in analogous bars 76 and 84, yet bars 108 and 116 and 168 and 176 were omitted. Paradoxically, it can be considered as an argument for the authenticity of proofreading, as Chopin used to omit one (or more) of similar places at the time of proofreading – cf. e.g. bar 49. The possibility that the editor introduced such a change on his own should be rather excluded, yet it does not provide ground for recognising it as an expression of Chopin's final intention.
In the version of EE the voice leading of accompaniment is less accurate, yet a temporary transfer of the common e
1 note one octave lower is not striking. This version has an advantage as far as the pianistic convenience is concerned – the lower position of the sixths enables avoiding two subsequent leaps. According to us, when choosing this version, one should also apply it in bars 108, 116, 168 and 176, as nothing indicates an intention to differentiate the sound of the Waltz's refrain (except for bars 213-220 and 261-272, which perform a different function).
In the main text, in all discussed bars, we give the fully homogeneous version of FE and GE, which does not raise any source or stylistic doubts.
Compare the passage in the sources »
category imprint: Differences between sources; Corrections & alterations
issues: Accompaniment changes, Authentic corrections of EE
notation: Pitch
