mUltimate Chopin

Op. 38, Ballade in F major

Text Compare Notes Sources Description

Issues : Uncertain slur continuation

b. 115-119

composition: Op. 38, Ballade in F major

Slur in bars 115-119 in A (→GC,EE)

Slur in bar 115 in FE

No slur in GE
..

In FE the slur in the middle voice breaks at the end of line (in bar 115). GE overlooked the entire slur, despite an unambiguous and clear notation of GC.

category imprint: Graphic ambiguousness; Differences between sources

issues: Errors in FE , Errors in GE , Uncertain slur continuation

b. 132-133

composition: Op. 38, Ballade in F major

Fragment of slur in A (→GC)

Slurs in FE

Slurs in EE

No slurs in GE
..

In both A (→GC) and EE, starting a new line resulted in inattention and leaving unfinished fragments of slurs (in A in bar 131, in EE in bar 132). FE completed the slurs in keeping with the analogous bars 125-127 and the R.H. slurs. This might have been done by the reviser or even the engraver. We give this undoubtedly right version in the main text. However, GE not only left bars 132-133 without slurs but omitted the second one in bar 131.

category imprint: Differences between sources; Editorial revisions; Source & stylistic information

issues: EE revisions , Inaccurate slurs in A , GE revisions , Uncertain slur continuation

b. 136-137

composition: Op. 38, Ballade in F major

Different slurs in A (→FE,GC→GE)

Slurs in bar 137 in EE

Slurs from bar 136 suggested by the editors
..

In the first in a new line bar 137, A has slurs beginning from the first crotchet in both the R.H. and L.H. In bar 136, however, a slur is written, starting from the last quaver. We consider it as binding and interpret as a continuous slur after the analogous bars 111-112. Consequently, in the main text we give an analogous slur in the L.H. part as well. The slurs in A – from bar 136 in the R.H., and from bar 137 in the L.H. – are to be found in all remaining sources except for EE which has both slurs beginning in bar 137.

category imprint: Graphic ambiguousness; Differences between sources; Editorial revisions

issues: EE revisions , Inaccurate slurs in A , Uncertain slur continuation

b. 142

composition: Op. 38, Ballade in F major

10-semiquaver slur in A (→FE,EE) & GE

6-semiquaver slur in GC
..

In A (→GC) bar 142 was divided into two lines. It is probably due to this issue that the copyist forgot to continue the slur in the L.H. in the 2nd half of the bar. In GE the slur was extended to the last semiquaver.

category imprint: Interpretations within context

issues: GE revisions , Inaccuracies in GC , Uncertain slur continuation

b. 146-147

composition: Op. 38, Ballade in F major

Continuous slur in A (contextual interpretation→FE,GC→GE)

2 slurs in EE
..

The slur in A ends over the last semiquaver in bar 146, last in the line. However, slur in the new line (bar 147) begins far before the bar-line thus indicating a continuation. Comparison with three analogous passages shows clearly a continuous slur as corresponding to Chopin's intent. It was reproduced that way in FE and GC (→GE). Thus the divided slur in EE has to be seen as an inept interpretation.

category imprint: Graphic ambiguousness; Differences between sources

issues: Inaccurate slurs in A , Uncertain slur continuation