mUltimate Chopin

Op. 38, Ballade in F major

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Articulation, Accents, Hairpins
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Articulation, Accents, Hairpins

b. 132-133

composition: Op. 38, Ballade in F major

 in A

 in GC (→GE)

in FE

 cresc. in EE
..

All versions of dynamic indications differing from the one written in A result from an inaccurate reproduction of the notation of the autograph:

  • shift of the cresc. indication in GC, slightly intensified in GE, is an inaccuracy that was probably aimed at keeping the notation transparent. Its possible influence on the performance seems to be marginal.
  • the changes introduced in EE (forced by the start of a new line), and particularly the ones in FE, in which the  hairpin was shortened and the cresc. indication was omitted, contribute to a more serious change of the layout.

category imprint: Differences between sources

issues: Inaccuracies in FE , EE inaccuracies

b. 136

composition: Op. 38, Ballade in F major

3 staccato dots in A (probable reading→EE) & GE

2 dots in GC

3 wedges in A, possible reading

2 wedges in FE
..

It is not entirely clear what staccato marks were intened by Chopin in this bar. They resemble dots In A despite being bigger than usual – possibly Chopin emboldened them to make them better visible, or changed wedges for dots. FE read them as wedges (except for the omitted L.H. mark), GC and EE – as dots (in the copy the L.H. mark was omitted, and reinstated in GE.

category imprint: Graphic ambiguousness; Differences between sources

issues: Inaccuracies in FE , GE revisions , Wedges , Inaccuracies in GC

b. 140

composition: Op. 38, Ballade in F major

Staccato dots in A (→EE,GC→GE)

Wedges in FE
..

Two staccato marks written in A seem to be dots despite being bigger than usual – possibly Chopin emboldened them to make them better visible. FE read them as wedges.

category imprint: Graphic ambiguousness; Differences between sources

issues: Wedges , Inaccuracies in A

b. 141

composition: Op. 38, Ballade in F major

 in A (→FE,EE)

No  in GC (→GE)
..

In GC (→GE) the  sign was overlooked.

category imprint: Differences between sources

issues: Errors of GC

b. 145

composition: Op. 38, Ballade in F major

in A (→EE) & GE

in GC

in bar 145 in FE
..

Hairpins in both GC and FE are inaccurate – a sign written with too much impetus in GC, and a  cut short by the line break in FE.

category imprint: Differences between sources

issues: Inaccuracies in FE