mUltimate Chopin

Op. 25 No 5, Etude in E minor

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Slurs

b. 73-76

composition: Op. 25 No 5, Etude in E minor

Slur in bar 86 in FC (→GE1)

4 slurs in FE

No slurs in EE

2 slurs in GE2 (→GE3)
..

The four slurs over the pairs of the chords of the L.H., present only in FE, are undoubtedly an improvement of notation. Together with the staccato dots for the bass notes, they precisely define the articulation of the part of the L.H. The articulation in the remaining sources is marked in a draft manner with the help of single signs – a slur in FC (→GE1) and two staccato dots in EE. The slur in bar 74 was added in GE2 (→GE3), most probably after analogy with the slur of FC in bar 76.

category imprint: Differences between sources

b. 121-122

composition: Op. 25 No 5, Etude in E minor

No slur in FC (→GE) & FE

Slur in EE
..

The slur of EE is probably authentic, which would support the interpretation of the slur in bars 122-123 as beginning from the 2nd crotchet. However, an editorial revision cannot be entirely excluded here (the same applies to the staccato dot under the bass E at the beginning of bar 122).

category imprint: Differences between sources

b. 122

composition: Op. 25 No 5, Etude in E minor

Slur in FC, probable interpretation

Slur in FC (possible reading), FE & GE

No slur in EE
..

The moment of starting the slur in FC is unclear, which most probably corresponds to the notation of [A] and which would explain both the slur of FE and of GE (the seemingly shortened slur in GE3 is most probably a print fault). However, according to us, in this type of context, the written with panache beginning of the slur could concern only the 2nd crotchet in Chopin's intention – cf., e.g., the Mazurka in G minor, Op. 24 No. 1, bar 21. An additional argument for such an interpretation of this slur can be the slur of EE in bars 121-122. The total absence of the discussed slur in EE is most probably accidental.

category imprint: Graphic ambiguousness; Differences between sources

issues: GE revisions , Inaccuracies in FC

b. 123-124

composition: Op. 25 No 5, Etude in E minor

Probable interpretation of slur in FC

Slurs in FE (contextual interpretation) & GE2 (→GE3)

Grace-note slur in EE & GE1
..

Interpretation of the slurs of the L.H. in FC poses a significant challenge due to the  sign written over the slurs. According to us, it is more likely that the slurs are supposed to create one sign. The slurs of FE and GE2 (→GE3) can be considered an alternative interpretation of the notation of FC. The version of GE1 is certainly erroneous; the one of EE probably too.

category imprint: Graphic ambiguousness; Differences between sources

issues: Inaccuracies in FE , GE revisions , Inaccuracies in FC