mUltimate Chopin

Op. 25 No 1, Etude in A♭ major

Text Compare Notes Sources Description

Issues : Authentic corrections of GE

b. 21

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

6 notes in AI

4 notes in A (→CDP,GE1) & EE

F in FE & GE1a (→GE2→GE3)
..

The third group of semiquavers in the L.H. was changed by Chopin twice (cf. the note concerning the R.H.), hence it appears in the sources in three various versions. In the main text we give the latest of them, introduced in FE and in a proofreading of GE1a (→GE2→GE3).

category imprint: Differences between sources; Corrections & alterations

issues: Authentic corrections of FE , Authentic corrections of GE

b. 25

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

A & a1 in AI, A (→CDP), FE & EE

A & a1 in GE1

A & a1 in GE2 (→GE3)
..

The flats lowering A and a1 to A and a1 in the last group of semiquavers were added in a proofreading of GE (it was not a routine revision, as, e.g., in bar 6, as both added signs differ in typeface from the others). The remaining sources have here A and a1. The question of authenticity of this change (as well as of the change introduced also in GE1 in bar 34) is one of the most difficult editorial problems in Chopin's pieces (see the characteristics of GE1). The version of GE, in which the combination with the next bar is smoother, thanks to a common note (a), and shows signs of Chopin improvement, hence we give it as the basic one (we change the note head of A – in accordance with the rule valid throughout the entire Etude – in the L.H. to a bigger one; it was already performed in GE2 and GE3). There arises a question, why did Chopin not introduce such a hearable change to FE? – at the moment of occurrence of this idea, the edition could have been already finished. In turn, lack of a relevant correction in pupil's copies, FED or FES, can be explained with the fact that after a few years from completing the piece, the original, well-sounding text did not generate opposition of the composer during the lessons. 

category imprint: Differences between sources; Editorial revisions; Corrections & alterations

issues: Authentic corrections of GE

b. 34

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

6 notes in AI, A (→CDP), FE, EE & GE2 (→GE3)

5 notes in GE1
..

The version of GE1, in which the last figure in bar 34 was adjusted to the rhythmic scheme valid from bar 32 and used also in bar 29 (after corrections) and in the 2nd half of bar 21 (also after corrections), seems to be a result of another Chopin remake. The conclusion is reinforced by lack of reasonable alternative explanation for the creation of this version – there is no reason to commit a mistake here or to introduce a revision which would interfere with the faultlessly and clearly written text of A.
GE2 (→GE3) returns the version of A. Such changes were introduced on a regular basis in Chopin reeditions of Breitkopf & Härtl – cf., e.g., bar 21.

category imprint: Differences between sources; Corrections & alterations

issues: Authentic corrections of GE