mUltimate Chopin

Op. 25 No 1, Etude in A♭ major

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b. 35

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

..

In AI it can be seen that it was the one octave lower E that was the original bass note on the 1st and 3rd beat of the bar.

category imprint: Corrections & alterations; Source & stylistic information

issues: Accompaniment changes , Corrections of AI

b. 35-36

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

No markings in AI

dim. &  in CDP

 in A (→GE), FE & EE
..

In AI, there are no dynamic indications in these bars, while in A Chopin introduced dim. in bar 35 and  in bar 36. We find this version copied in CDP. However, while reviewing A before handing it to the copyists preparing base texts for FE and EE, Chopin changed the concept – he deleted dim. and added  before .

category imprint: Differences between sources

issues: Deletions in A

b. 35

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

g1 in AI, A (→CDP,GE), FE2 & EE

b1 in FE
..

The version of FE1 is certainly a mistake, corrected in FE2. Although in A one can see the identical correction – a deleted b1 and added g1 – yet a more profound analysis of the notation reveals that it is only the most visible part of a greater proofreading, including the last 5 semiquavers in the R.H., as Chopin wrote here the figure appearing at the end of bars 37 and 39 by mistake.

category imprint: Differences between sources

issues: Errors in FE , Terzverschreibung error , Errors of A , Deletions in A , FE revisions

b. 35-36

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

One slur in AI & EE

Two slurs in A

Two slurs in CDP & FE

Two slurs in GE1

Two-bar slur in GE2 (→GE3)
..

In the main text we suggest an interpretation of the slurs of A based on the following observations:

  • the ending of the slur on the 1st semiquaver in bar 36 (and similarly in bar 38) is marked with an adamant movement of the quill, which cannot be said of the beginning of the next slur;
  • situations in which some of the small notes are not embraced with slurring in A are to be interpreted rather as an inaccuracy of notation – see the characteristics of A.

This is how the slurs in GE1 were reproduced. The slurring of the remaining sources is, according to us, either an attempt to interpret the slurs of A or a result of accidental or arbitrary changes.

category imprint: Interpretations within context; Differences between sources; Corrections & alterations

issues: Inaccurate slurs in A , GE revisions , Errors of CDP

b. 36-38

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

No markings in AI

 in A (→GE), FE & EE
..

Lack of pedal change in AI on the 2nd beat of bar 36 and 38 is an earlier version, completed by Chopin in A and repeated in this form in the remaining sources. Similarly in bars 40-41. In the entire final part of the Etude, in the final version, Chopin opted for rather more frequent pedal changes.

category imprint: Differences between sources; Corrections & alterations