mUltimate Chopin

Op. 35, Sonata in B♭ minor, Mvt II

Text Compare Notes Sources Description

Issues : Errors in FE

b. 131

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

f in GE, possible interpretation of GC & FE1 (→FE2→FE3,EE1)

e in FE4 & EE2
..

GC and the previous impressions of FE (→EE) include the erroneous f as the top bottom note in the chord on the 2nd crotchet. The mistake was revised in GE, adding a  before this note, which has to be considered to be justified. However, the comparison with analogous bar 171, and, above all, the change introduced – probably by Chopin – in FE4 convinces that the mistake concerned the pitch and not the missing . The version with e was introduced also in EE2, most probably on the basis of FE4. According to us, both here and in the previous bar, we are dealing with Chopin's mistakes in [A].

category imprint: Interpretations within context; Differences between sources

issues: EE revisions , Errors in FE , GE revisions , Authentic corrections of FE , Errors of GC

b. 140

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

No c1 in GC & FE (→EE1)

c1 in GE & EE2
..

The absence of the c1 note is most probably a result of the unclear notation of [A]. It is indicated by the comparison with analogous bars 138, 178 and 180. The note was added – most probably on the basis of such a comparison – in GE, which was then repeated in EE2. 

category imprint: Interpretations within context; Differences between sources

issues: EE revisions , Errors in FE , GE revisions , Uncertain notes on ledger lines , Errors of GC

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. 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. 148-152

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

..

In the sources based directly on [A] – GC and FE1 (→FE2→FE3,EE1) – four naturals raising c1 to c1, in bars 148-149 and 151-152, are missing. These patent inaccuracies were corrected in GE, FE4 and EE2. 

category imprint: Interpretations within context; Differences between sources

issues: EE revisions , Errors in FE , Errors in EE , GE revisions , Omission of current key accidentals , FE revisions , Last key signature sign , Errors of GC