mUltimate Chopin

Op. 25 No 1, Etude in A♭ major

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b. 28

composition: Op. 25 No 1, Etude in A♭ major

 in AI, A (→GE) & EE

No markings in FE

Our variant suggestion
..

Lack of the pedal change on the 2nd beat of the bar does not seem to be a mistake – Chopin could have deleted the signs in the base text to FE or while proofreading this edition. Therefore, in the main text we suggest a variant solution.

category imprint: Differences between sources; Corrections & alterations

issues: Authentic corrections of FE

b. 28

composition: Op. 25 No 1, Etude in A♭ major

e1-e1-f1-e1 in AI (contextual interpretation)

4 times d in A (→CDP,GE), FE & EE
..

The version of AI, in which the melodic line is doubled one octave lower by the lowest notes of the figuration in the R.H. is earlier and it was changed by Chopin at the stage of preparing the piece for print.
The notation of the original version includes an error on the 4th beat of the bar – not cancelled naturals from the 1st half of the bar raise e2(1) to e2(1) also here; in this version, the combination with the next bar is unacceptable.

category imprint: Differences between sources; Corrections & alterations

issues: Omissions to cancel alteration

b. 28

composition: Op. 25 No 1, Etude in A♭ major

Long accent in AI

No sign in A (→CDP,GE)

 in FE & EE
..

The  hairpins must have been written in this form by Chopin in the base texts to FE and EE. The long accent in AI is certainly the original version of the dynamic indications – cf., e.g., bars 1-2.

category imprint: Differences between sources

issues: Long accents , Authentic corrections of FE , Authentic corrections of EE

b. 28-29

composition: Op. 25 No 1, Etude in A♭ major

End of slur in AI

Slur continued in A (→CDP,GE), FE & EE
..

Replacing two slurs of AI with one longer in A seems to be not only intended to improve the notation, but it also shows a changed performance concept – see the note to bar 29.

category imprint: Differences between sources; Corrections & alterations

b. 29-30

composition: Op. 25 No 1, Etude in A♭ major

Slurs in AI

Interpreted slurs in A (→GE1→GE2)

Slur in CDP

Slurs in FE & EE

Slurs in GE2 (→GE3)
..

Continuation of the slur in A and in the remaining sources, except for AI, is an element of a broader change of the performance concept of this phrase, embracing also the changes of dynamics in this bar – see the adjacent note.

Beginning a new slur on the 4th beat in bar 29 is clearly written both in AI and A. It is unclear why this natural division was not included in CDP, FE and EE. In the case of editions, one has to take into account a possibility of Chopin proofreading of the slurring in the base texts, yet, according to us, it is more plausible that it was the copyists or engravers that did not understand Chopin's intention.

We consider the earlier ending of the slurs – on melodic notes – to be an inaccuracy of the notation of AI and A (→GE1).

category imprint: Differences between sources; Corrections & alterations