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Op. 25 No 8, Etude in D♭ major

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Verbal indications

b. 24-25

composition: Op. 25 No 8, Etude in D♭ major

cresc. - - in A (→GE)

cresc. - - in FE

cre - scen - do in EE
..

Out of the three most probably authentic, slightly differing variants of placement of the cresc. - - indication we choose the version of FE as combining their most reliable elements – earlier beginning (FE and EE) and earlier ending (A and FE). It is worth observing that the fact of writing the cres abbreviation earlier in A was related to an impending smearing of the part of the L.H., which could have had an influence on the "compromise" shift of the indication.
The division of the indication into syllables may be an arbitrary action of the engraver of EE.

category imprint: Interpretations within context; Differences between sources

issues: EE revisions

b. 26-27

composition: Op. 25 No 8, Etude in D♭ major

..

Placement of decresc. – see the note on  in bars 25-27. 

category imprint: Differences between sources

issues: Inaccuracies in GE , GE revisions

b. 28

composition: Op. 25 No 8, Etude in D♭ major

in A (→GE) & EE1

No marking in FE & EE2 (→EE3)

in FED
..

The dynamic indications of the final part of the Etude were almost certainly added by Chopin to the three, generally finished, Stichvorlage manuscripts. In bars 28-31, EE1 transferred the most elaborately developed version with  in bar 28 and diminuendo in bars 30-31, A (→GE) includes only , while FE, devoid of indications, remained in the shape preceding the additions. Circa 10 years after the publication of the Etudes, Chopin added here  in a pupil's copy (FED), which, according to us, is to be considered as an alternative dynamic concept and not a conclusive change.
Deletion of  in EE2 (→EE3) is most probably related to the addition of fingering after FE.   

category imprint: Differences between sources; Corrections & alterations

issues: Annotations in teaching copies , Annotations in FED , Authentic post-publication changes and variants

b. 30-31

composition: Op. 25 No 8, Etude in D♭ major

No indication in A (→GE) & EE

in EE
..

The diminuendo indication was added by Chopin most probably – together with  in bar 28 – in the base text to EE. 

category imprint: Differences between sources; Corrections & alterations

b. 32-34

composition: Op. 25 No 8, Etude in D♭ major

 & cresc. in A (→GE)

crescendo in FE

crescendo in EE
..

Same as in other similar cases (cf. bars 19, 25-27, 28, 30-31), both sets of indications are certainly authentic, yet it is unknown which of the versions is later. In the main text we give the differentiated indications of A (→GE).

category imprint: Differences between sources; Corrections & alterations