mUltimate Chopin

Op. 25 No 1, Etude in A♭ major

Text Compare Notes Sources Description

Issues : Inaccuracies in GE

b. 1-2

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

Long accent in AI

  in A (→GE1→GE1a)

  in FE

  in EE

  in GE2 (→GE3)
..

The long accent under f2 at the beginning of bar 2 in #AW is the original concept of dynamic markings in these bars. In A one can see that Chopin rejected the accent (placed above this note) in favour of a pair of   hairpins. The hairpins were incorrectly reproduced in GE1 (→GE1a), yet only the fact of beginning diminuendo in GE2 (→GE3) from the beginning of bar 2 may be considered as a quite significant change. In FE and EE, diminuendo immediately follows crescendo. In the main text we reproduce the signs of A, the only ones written undoubtedly by Chopin's hand.

category imprint: Differences between sources; Corrections & alterations

issues: Long accents , Inaccuracies in GE , GE revisions , Deletions in A

b. 3

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

No signs in AI & CDP

  in A

  in GE

  in EE

  in FE

Our suggestion
..

Chopin added the dynamic indication in this bar only at the time of preparing the Etude for print. Initially, he provided the f2 note with an accent (as in bar 2), yet eventually he chose a pair of   hairpins. However, the signs are imprecise – the arms of the first one are of different length, while the second seems to be shortened in order to avoid a possible illegible mergence of the sign with the note in the L.H. or the semiquaver beam in the R.H. (GE reproduced it in such a way). In the main text we suggest an interpretation of the hairpins of A based on the above analysis and comparison with FE and EE.

category imprint: Differences between sources; Corrections & alterations

issues: Inaccuracies in GE , Deletions in A

b. 7-8

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

Two slurs in AI & A

One slur in GE, FE & EE
..

It is unclear on which ground GE embraces these bars with one slur. According to us, it is a result of misunderstanding A. One slur is, however, also present in FE and EE, hence this version may be considered as an equally valid alternative to two slurs written in AI and A.

category imprint: Differences between sources

issues: Inaccuracies in GE

b. 10-11

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

No sign in CDP & AI

 in A

 in GE & FE

 in EE

 suggested by the editors
..

The  hairpins in A are written inaccurately – at the right-hand end, their arms are of different length, hence in GE they reach up to the middle of the 3rd group of semiquavers. The beginning of the sign, at the end of bar 10, also seems to have been added too early, which is indicated by the  mark, contrary to it, added in bar 10 in a proofreading of GE2, as well as by the hairpins in FE and EE.

category imprint: Differences between sources

issues: Inaccuracies in GE , Unclear hairpins in A , Inaccuracies in A

b. 14

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

No sign in AI & CDP

 in A

 in GE

 in FE

 in EE
..

In the main text we determine the range of  hairpins on the basis of the notation of A. In GE the notation was considered to be inaccurate, which make us cautiously approach also the versions of the remaining editions.

category imprint: Differences between sources

issues: Inaccuracies in GE