mUltimate Chopin

Op. 25 No 4, Etude in A minor

Text Compare Notes Sources Description
Select: 
Category
All
Graphic ambiguousness
Interpretations within context
Differences between sources
Editorial revisions
Corrections & alterations
Source & stylistic information
Slurs
All
Pitch
Rhythm
Slurs
Articulation, Accents, Hairpins
Verbal indications
Pedalling
Fingering
Ornaments
Shorthand & other
Importance
All
Important
Main
Undo Clear

Slurs

b. 30

composition: Op. 25 No 4, Etude in A minor

Tenuto slur in A
..

A slur starting from the minim c2 is a clear example of so-called tenuto-slurs, emphasizing the necessity of holding down the last note under the slur. Cf. e.g. Concerto in F minor, Op. 21, mvt. II, bar 84.

category imprint: Source & stylistic information

issues: Tenuto slurs

b. 39

composition: Op. 25 No 4, Etude in A minor

Slurs in A (→FE) & EE

Slurs in FC (→GE)
..

It is hard to state how the difference in the slurring between FC (→GE) and A and the remaining sources was created. The copyist's error seems to be the most probable answer, yet it cannot be totally excluded that the slur, beginning in this bar and overlooked by the copyist, was added by Chopin. Independently from the way it was created, the version of FC did not raise Chopin's doubts when he was adding dynamic hairpins in this and further bars.

category imprint: Differences between sources

issues: Inaccuracies in FC

b. 48

composition: Op. 25 No 4, Etude in A minor

Slurs in A, literal reading

Slurs in FC (→GE) & EE

Slurs in FE
..

When interpreted literally, the slurs of A do not include the a2 crotchet, which resulted in an erroneous, as it seems, interpretation in FE. In the main text we give the undoubtedly correct slurs of FC (→GE) and EE. After all, it is highly likely that the slur in bars 47-48  in FC was extended by Chopin.

category imprint: Differences between sources

issues: Inaccurate slurs in A

b. 50-51

composition: Op. 25 No 4, Etude in A minor

Slurs in A (→FC)

Slur in FE & EE

Slurs in GE
..

In the face of the notation of A, the fact of combining the slurs in FE and EE may be considered to be justified, however, it is most likely that Chopin's intention – the tenuto ending of the slur in bar 50 – was interpreted correctly in FC.

category imprint: Differences between sources

issues: GE revisions , Tenuto slurs

b. 53-54

composition: Op. 25 No 4, Etude in A minor

Two slurs in A (→FE,FC→GE)

Continuous slur in EE
..

The continuous slur of EE is probably a result of an inaccurate or simplified interpretation by the engraver or copyist. In this edition, one slur runs from bar 49 to 62.

category imprint: Differences between sources

issues: EE inaccuracies