FE1
Main text
AT - Autograph of a fragment
AW - Presentation Autograph
CDP - Copy for Delfina Potocka
GC - Gutmann's Copy
FE - French edition
FE1 - First French edition
FE2 - Corrected reprint of FE1
FED - Dubois copy
FEJ - Jędrzejewicz copy
FES - Stirling copy
GE - German edition
GE1 - First German edition
GE1a - Corrected reprint of GE1
GE1b - Flawed impression of GE1
GE2 - Second German edition
GE3 - Revised impression of GE2
EE - English edition
EE1 - First English edition
EE2 - Corrected reprint of EE1
EE3 - Revised impression of EE2
compare
  b. 39-40

No indication in AW

in CDP

in GC (→GE), FE & EE

The poco a poco cresc. indication, present in CDP, comes certainly from [A], as initially, it was also in GC. While introducing last corrections in the Stichvorlage manuscripts, Chopin most probably deleted this indications in all three, which can be seen in the preserved GC, and replaced with cre – scen – do only. 

The change can be considered as Chopin's attention to the most precise description of performance details. At the same time, it shows that, despite the fact that both indications concern a gradual increase of dynamics, they were of different meaning for Chopin, as he considered the change of one to another important enough to introduce deletions in the already finished Stichvorlage fair scores. According to us, it is natural to assume that the poco a poco emphasises the gradual character of the change, at the same time warning from its excessive vehemence, while crescendo only prompts to a more definite increase intensity.  

Compare the passage in the sources »

category imprint: Differences between sources; Corrections & alterations

issues: Authentic corrections in GC

notation: Verbal indications

Go to the music

.