mUltimate Chopin

Op. 35, Sonata in B♭ minor, Mvt I

Text Compare Notes Sources Description

Issues : Authentic corrections in GC

b. 108

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

Slur in GC (→GE) & EE2

No slur in FE (→EE1)
..

The slur over the L.H. part, if not overlooked by the engraver of FE (→EE1), could have been added in GC (→GE) by Chopin. The sign was then added in EE2. Similarly in bar 116.

category imprint: Differences between sources

issues: EE revisions , Authentic corrections in GC

b. 125-128

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

 in GC & GE2

Dashes in FE (→EE)

No indications in GE1

Dashes &  suggested by the editors
..

It is unclear how the difference in the way of indicating crescendo in bars 127-128 occurred. The  sign could have been added by Chopin in GC, however, according to us, it can be considered an addition (enhancement) to the verbal indication. In the Chopinesque notation, a verbal indication generally indicates a global dynamic increase, generally related to a progressive harmonic sequence and often including a few bars, whereas the  hairpin generally concerns shading of the melodic line. Therefore, we also suggest a solution combining both versions of the indications, in which cresc. - - - in bars 127-128 is continued next to the  hairpin, probably in accordance with the performance intended by Chopin – see also bars 135-136.
The total absence of dynamic indications in GE1 is a patent error, corrected in GE2.

category imprint: Interpretations within context; Differences between sources

issues: Errors in GE , GE revisions , Authentic corrections in GC

b. 141-142

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

A1-A & C1-C in GC (→GE)

A-a & C-c in FE (→EE)

A1-A & C1-C suggested by the editors
..

The version of FE (→EE) is an earlier version, drawn from [A], as it was originally present in GC too. Chopin changed it in GC (→GE), moving the bass motif an octave lower. We give the latter – being the latest – in the main text. It seems to be an improvement due to a more consistent use of the bottom most register of the piano.
In the main text we add cautionary flats before the 1st octave of the bass motif.

category imprint: Differences between sources; Corrections & alterations

issues: Authentic corrections in GC

b. 152

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

One-bar slur in GC (→GE)

No slur in FE

Half-bar slur in EE
..

In GC two semi-bar slurs of the L.H. were combined, probably by Chopin. We include the correction in the main text, particularly due to the fact that EE includes an incomplete slurring in this place, whereas FE does not contain it at all.

category imprint: Differences between sources

issues: Authentic corrections in GC

b. 153

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

Accent in GC (→GE) & EE2

No mark in FE (→EE1)
..

The absence of an accent in FE (→EE1), if not an oversight by the engraver, means that Chopin added the mark to GC (→GE).

category imprint: Differences between sources

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