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Op. 38, Ballade in F major

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b. 155

composition: Op. 38, Ballade in F major

 in A

in GC (→GE)

in FE

in EE

Long accent suggested by the editors
..

According to us, beginning the  mark clearly before the minim and placing it on its stem means that it is a long accent, written proportionally to the unexpected length of the note. This is the interpretation we give in the main text. The versions of the remaining sources are attempts at an explicit reproduction of form and meaning of the mark by the copyist and the engravers. However, none of them took into account both elements of notation indicated above, and the size of the mark forced them to interpret it as a  hairpin. 

category imprint: Differences between sources

issues: Unclear hairpins in A

b. 155

composition: Op. 38, Ballade in F major

Slur in A (→FE)

No slur in GC (→GE) & EE
..

The lack of slur under the bass progression results most likely from an oversight of the copyist in GC (→GE) and the engraver of EE.

category imprint: Differences between sources

issues: Errors in EE , Errors of GC

b. 155

composition: Op. 38, Ballade in F major

..

We add cautionary naturals before the G1-G octave in the main text.

category imprint: Editorial revisions

b. 155

composition: Op. 38, Ballade in F major

cresc. - - - in A (→GC→GE)

cresc. - - - in FE

cresc. in EE

cresc. - - - suggested by the editors
..

In the main text we place the cresc. - - - between the staves, for it pertains not only to the progression of the L.H. Chopin wrote it below the lower staff probably out of concern for the legibility of A – in bar 156 the semiquaver beams and stems are written between staves and make placing the indication there virtually impossible. FE and EE introduced a similar shift.

category imprint: Differences between sources; Editorial revisions

issues: EE inaccuracies

b. 156-158

composition: Op. 38, Ballade in F major

Slur beyond bar 158 in A

Slur to bar 158 in GC (→GE) & EE

Slur to bar 156 in FE
..

The slur in the R.H. in FE ends in bar 156. It is undoubtedly the editor's revision, as bar 156 opens a new line in FE, while in A it is in the middle of the stave, therefore, an accidental break of the started slur is out of the question.

category imprint: Differences between sources

issues: FE revisions