mUltimate Chopin

Op. 35, Sonata in B♭ minor, Mvt II

Text Compare Notes Sources Description

Issues : Omissions to cancel alteration

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. 183

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

d1 in GC (→GE) & FE

d1 in EE
..

The version with d1 (=e1) is probably erroneous – situations in which there is no sign, cancelling the previous alteration, belong to the most frequently encountered inaccuracies of Chopin's notation. Moreover, it is likely that the composer rectified his mistake, while correcting the base text to EE. Adding a cautionary  before c1 is a poorly justified revision of GE2.

category imprint: Interpretations within context; Differences between sources

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