mUltimate Chopin

Op. 25 No 1, Etude in A♭ major

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Slurs

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

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. 37-38

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

Two slurs in AI & EE

Two slurs in A

One slur in CDP

Two slurs in FE & GE1

Two-bar slur in GE2 (→GE3)
..

In the main text, we give the most accurate, according to us, interpretation of slurs of A, given in GE1 and compatible with the notation of FE. It seems to be highly unlikely that Chopin would have liked to then withdraw from the concept of slurring written in A.

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

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

b. 39-40

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

Two slurs in AI & EE

Two slurs in A

Incomplete slurring in CDP

Two slurs in FE

Two slurs in GE1

Two-bar slur in GE2 (→GE3)
..

In the main text, we give the most accurate, according to us, interpretation of slurs of A, given in GE1 (→GE2). It seems to be highly unlikely that Chopin would have liked to withdraw from the slurring concept, written in A.

In CDP, all phrasing slurs from bar 40 to the beginning of bar 48 were omitted.

category imprint: Interpretations within context; Differences between sources

issues: Inaccurate slurs in A , GE revisions

b. 41-48

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

..

In CDP, there are no slurs concerning the semiquavers until the end of the Etude. We do not comment this fact in further notes concerning slurring.

category imprint: Differences between sources

issues: Errors of CDP