mUltimate Chopin

Op. 25 No 1, Etude in A♭ major

Text Compare Notes Sources Description

Issues : Inaccurate slurs in A

b. 1

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

..

In both autographs the moment of starting the slur is not entirely clear. In the case of AI we can rely only on a photography, hence, there is no certainty whether all details of the original are clearly visible on it (it is possible that, e.g., the initial fragment of the slur was written with such a delicate line that it is invisible on the photography). According to us, in both cases there is no doubt that, as far as the shape of the slur is concerned, Chopin wanted to begin the slur in the most natural way possible in this context, i.e. from the beginning of the phrase, hence from the beginning of bar 1 in AI and from the upbeat in A (this is how it was interpreted in GE). Such an interpretation of A is confirmed by the slurs of FE and EE, based on other manuscripts.

category imprint: Graphic ambiguousness; Differences between sources

issues: Inaccurate slurs in A , Pointing slurs

b. 17-18

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

..

The differing abbreviated notation of AI and A could suggest that in the latter all four E notes are supposed to have normal ("big") note heads. According to us, the notation of A, despite being simplified, is to be, however, interpreted in accordance with AI – in A we see the same abbreviation also in bar 36, in which the distinction of only the first A is beyond any doubt. Similarly in bar 19.

In GE1 (→GE1a), the first F in bar 18 is written as a small note. The mistake was corrected in GE2 (→GE3).

category imprint: Interpretations within context; Differences between sources

issues: Inaccurate slurs in A , Authentic corrections of GE

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