mUltimate Chopin

Op. 35, Sonata in B♭ minor, Mvt I

Text Compare Notes Sources Description

Issues : Errors in FE

b. 70

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

b2-d3 in GC (→GE) & FE2 (→EE,FE3→FE4)

Open octave in FE1
..

The absence of the middle notes of the chord at the beginning of the bar is certainly an oversight of the engraver of FE1.

category imprint: Differences between sources

issues: Errors in FE , FE revisions

b. 76

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

GC (→GE)

FE1 (→FE2)

EE & FESch

FE3

FE4
..

According to us, the first half of the bar has only one authentic version, written in [A] and conveyed by EE and FESch. The versions of GC and FE1, hence sources based on [A], were probably a result of its misinterpretation by the copyist and the engraver of FE. Chopin restored the correct text, by amending the mistake in FE2 and FESch and – most probably – in the base text to EE. The versions of FE3 and FE4 are most probably a result of mistakes at the time of proofreading FE2 and FE3 respectively. 

category imprint: Interpretations within context; Differences between sources; Corrections & alterations

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

b. 78

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

Minim b1 in FE1

Minim c2 in GC (→GE)

Crotchet a1-c2 in FE2 (→EE1,FE3→FE4)

Minim a1-c2 in EE2
..

Among the four versions of the middle notes of the chord at the beginning of the 2nd half of the bar present in the sources, the first (FE1) is certainly erroneous, whereas the last (EE2) – arbitrary. In turn, the remaining two are undoubtedly authentic and – according to us – equal. The a1-c2 crotchet is probably earlier, it was probably in [A] and this is on this basis that is was introduced to FE2 instead of the erroneous b1 minim. The original third was initially also in GC, where, however, Chopin changed it to a c2 minim. Hence, we adopt the latter to the main text.

category imprint: Differences between sources; Corrections & alterations

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

b. 79

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

d2 repeated in GC (→GE)

d2 tied in FE (→EE)
..

We give priority to the version with the tie, as in the entire section embracing bars 65-80, the middle notes of the octave chords are struck only at the beginning or in the middle of the bar. Authenticity of any of the versions is not entirely certain – both an oversight of the tie by the copyist and a mistake of the engraver of FE1, who, e.g., overlooked the tie between the previous crotchets, are also possible.

category imprint: Differences between sources

issues: Errors in FE , FE revisions , Inaccuracies in GC

b. 80

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

a1 tied in GC (→GE) & EE2

a1 repeated in FE (→EE1)
..

The authenticity of the tie sustaining a1 does not raise any doubts (it could have been added in GC even by Chopin himself). In turn, the version without the tie may be a result of an oversight of the engraver of FE. The slur in EE2 was most probably added on the basis of GE.

category imprint: Differences between sources

issues: EE revisions , Errors in FE