mUltimate Chopin

Op. 35, Sonata in B♭ minor, Mvt II

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

b. 140-141

composition: Op. 35, Sonata in B♭ minor, Mvt II

Slurs in GC (literal reading) & EE

Slurs in GC, contextual interpretation

Slur in GE
..

The range of the slurs in GC is unclear due to the nonchalant way of their notation, as well as due to the transition into the new line of the text (from bar 141). We consider the division of the slurs at the bar line to be the literal interpretation, as at the beginning bar 141 does not include the ending of the previous slur. Such divided slur is also in EE, based on the base text, in which the slurs were most probably added by Chopin (in this fragment). Therefore, we give the version in the main text. According to us, however, the interpretation of the slurs of GC with division after the 1st crotchet in bar 141 is more justified. The slur of GE is rather an emergency option, not determining the phrasing, than an attempt to reproduce the notation of GC.

category imprint: Graphic ambiguousness; Differences between sources

issues: Errors in FE , Inaccuracies in GC , Authentic corrections of EE

b. 142

composition: Op. 35, Sonata in B♭ minor, Mvt II

..

The cautionary flat before c1 was added in FE3 (→FE4), GE and EE2.

category imprint: Differences between sources

issues: Cautionary accidentals

b. 143

composition: Op. 35, Sonata in B♭ minor, Mvt II

d1 in GC (→GE) & FE (→EE1)

d1 in EE2
..

Leaving aside the unorthographical notation, the version with d1 (=e1) is not excluded, as far as the sound is concerned. In spite of this, according to us, it is highly likely that the absence of the  returning d1 is Chopin's mistake. It is proved by:

  • the notation of bars 184-185, proving Chopin's care for a precise differentiation of the enharmonic notation of d and e;
  • a high number of situations, in which there is no sign in Chopin's pieces, cancelling the previous alteration; 
  • a flat restoring d1, added in EE in analogous bar 183; the base text to EE1 was corrected by Chopin, hence the addition can come from him.

In the discussed bar 143 a  before d1 is only in EE2. In turn, in GE2 a  was added before c1, which could be considered to be a mechanical error, if it was not for the fact that an identical addition was introduced in bar 183.

category imprint: Interpretations within context; Differences between sources

issues: EE revisions , Errors in FE , Errors in EE , Omissions to cancel alteration , Errors in GE , GE revisions , Errors of GC

b. 145-147

composition: Op. 35, Sonata in B♭ minor, Mvt II

Slur in bars 145-146 in GC (→GE)

No slur in bars 145-146 in FE1 (→FE2)

Tenuto slur in FE3 (→FE4)

Slur in bars 145-148 in EE
..

Both notations of the slur in bars 145-146 – GC (→GE) and FE3 (→FE4) – mean generally the same, yet the notation used in FE accentuates the necessity of holding the full rhythmic value of the chord in bar 146, which is often not observed in the case of the last note under the slur. Chopin would often use this notation, cf., e.g., 1st mov., bar 176, the Etude in A minor, Op. 25 No. 4, bar 50, in C minor, Op. 25 No. 7, bars 22, 24, 28 and 30 or the Mazurka in B minor, Op. 33 No. 4, bars 2, 4 and analog.
The slur in EE may be a result of an erroneous interpretation of the tenuto slur written by Chopin in the base text – as in FE3 – as an extention to the previous bars of the slur in bar 147. 

category imprint: Interpretations within context; Differences between sources

issues: Authentic corrections of FE , Authentic corrections of EE , Tenuto slurs

b. 145-155

composition: Op. 35, Sonata in B♭ minor, Mvt II

..

In the sources based directly on [A] there are no naturals raising c to c – in GC in bars 145 and 147, in FE1 in bar 147. These patent inaccuracies were corrected in GE and FE2, so that all the remaining sources include the correct text. Similarly in bars 153 and 155, although there and in FE the second  was added only in FE4.

category imprint: Interpretations within context; Differences between sources

issues: Accidentals in different octaves , Inaccuracies in FE , GE revisions , Omission of current key accidentals , FE revisions , Last key signature sign , Errors of GC