Issues : Inaccurate slurs in A

b. 10

composition: Op. 38, Ballade in F major

Slurs in A, contextual interpretation

Slurs in GC

Slurs in FE & GE, literal reading of A

One slur in EE

..

There are many ways of interpretation of the inaccurately written slurs of A, e.g., such as it was interpreted in GC or in FE and GE. According to us, Chopin could have been thinking here about such slurs as can be seen in A in bar 18. Therefore, we adopt this version in the main text. The version of EE with a continuous slur is certainly erroneous..

category imprint: Differences between sources; Source & stylistic information

issues: Inaccurate slurs in A , Inaccuracies in GC

b. 14

composition: Op. 38, Ballade in F major

Slurs in A

One slur in GC (→GE), FE & EE

..

The interpretation of slurring of A in this bar may raise doubts. The line indicating the slur is however clearly separated between two last sixths, yet the shape of the endings of the part preceding the gap and of the following one does not suggest the slurs' separation. Therefore, the gap could be interpreted as inaccuracy of notation of one of the slurs and this is how it was understood by everyone who was reproducing the text of A. According to us, the more distinct separation of the slurs in analogous bar 6 makes the use of a similar slurring much more plausible also here.

category imprint: Differences between sources

issues: Inaccurate slurs in A

b. 18

composition: Op. 38, Ballade in F major

Slurs in A, contextual interpretation

Slurs in A (literal reading→FE)

One slur in GC (→GE) & EE

..

Nothing indicates that the continuous slur in GC (→GE) and EE corresponds to Chopin's intention. However, the range of the slur that ends in this bar is open to question in A. In the editors' opinion Chopin probably meant a slur encompassing the whole first half of the bar, and not only reaching the first note in the upper voice – see slurs in similar context in bars 38 and 40.

category imprint: Differences between sources

issues: Inaccuracies in FE , Inaccurate slurs in A , EE inaccuracies , Inaccuracies in GC

b. 30

composition: Op. 38, Ballade in F major

Slurs in A, contextual interpretation

One slur in GC (→GE), FE & EE

..

The slurring of A is inaccurate here – the slur from previous bars ends on the crotchet in the middle of the bar, even though the next one that starts on the new page (in bar 31) suggests a continuation from the previous page. Both the copyist and the engravers interpreted this by merging both slurs in one. According to us, Chopin must have had in mind the same phrasing as in analogous bars 6 and 14, which means that he did not end the long slur from the previous bars too early but forgot to write the beginning of the slur at the end of bar 30.

category imprint: Graphic ambiguousness; Differences between sources

issues: Inaccurate slurs in A , Uncertain slur continuation

b. 40

composition: Op. 38, Ballade in F major

Two slurs in A (probable interpretation→EE)

One slur in A (possible interpretation→FE,GCGE)

..

Originally, a new slur started in A over the quaver F. Chopin later corrected slurring there but the result of the changes is not quite clear—EE read the correction as changing the place of division, while #CG (→GE) and FE as linking slurs. In the editors opinion both interpretations are justified:

  • an added fragment of line starting over the sharp, and suggesting a beginning of a new slur indicates that a broken slur was intended; such a slurring is in keeping with the R.H. phrasing and the analogous bar 38;
  • leaving the slur between F and F not deleted, and the way the preceding slur is prolonged speak for a continuous slur; this would reflect the maintaining of the hand's position.

We regard the former of the above interpretations as more likely, and give this version in the main text.

category imprint: Graphic ambiguousness; Differences between sources; Corrections & alterations

issues: Inaccurate slurs in A , Errors resulting from corrections