mUltimate Chopin

Op. 25 No 4, Etude in A minor

Text Compare Notes Sources Description

Issues : GE revisions

b. 30-32

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

Slurs in A (→FC) & GE2 (→GE3)

Slur in FE & GE1

Slurs in EE
..

In spite of the clearly divided slurs of A (→FC), both FE and GE1 embrace these three bars with one slur. The later beginning of the slur in bar 31 in EE is the original version, not corrected by Chopin in the base text to this edition (the extension of the slur is visible in A and most probably in FC).

category imprint: Differences between sources; Corrections & alterations

issues: Inaccuracies in GE , Inaccuracies in FE , Corrections in A , GE revisions , Authentic corrections of FC , Tenuto slurs

b. 31

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

..

In A (→FE) there are no flats before the bottom note of the 2nd quaver in the L.H. and top note of the 3rd chord in the R.H. The sign in the R.H. was added in FC (by the copyist or Chopin). GE and EE include the correct notation.

category imprint: Interpretations within context; Differences between sources

issues: EE revisions , Accidentals in different octaves , GE revisions , Inaccuracies in A

b. 33

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

..

In A (→FC,FE) there is no  lowering e to e. This patent inaccuracy was corrected in GE and EE.

category imprint: Interpretations within context; Differences between sources

issues: EE revisions , Accidentals in different octaves , GE revisions , Inaccuracies in A

b. 33-35

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

..

GE2 (→GE3) added cautionary naturals before b2 in bar 33, e2 in bar 34 and e1 in bar 35. We give the last two – as justified, according to us – in the main text.

category imprint: Differences between sources; Editorial revisions

issues: GE revisions

b. 35-38

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

  in A

  in FC

No signs in FE

  in GE

  in EE
..

The sources quite clearly differ in the range of   hairpins, which suggests that they were not copied, but introduced by Chopin himself into three Stichvorlage manuscripts. To the main text we adopt the version of FC, as it is more compatible with the indications of EE – both define the dynamic wave filling four bars, which implies that Chopin wrote such a concept twice. The three-bar version of A must be, however, considered as an equal, alternative concept. The reason for omitting the hairpins in FE is unknown; the engraver's oversight seems to be the most likely answer.

We preserve the position of the signs over the part of the R.H., in accordance with the manuscripts. However, one cannot exclude that the reason for such placement could have simply been lack of space between the staves and moving them to the typical place, as it was performed in GE, is justified.   

category imprint: Differences between sources

issues: Errors in FE , Scope of dynamic hairpins , GE revisions