An earlier beginning of the slur in bar 211 does not correspond both to its notation in A and the authentic division into voices – the b
1-d2 third in the middle of bar 211 is written in A with two voices, which was not included in GE (→FE→EE). Further on, the slurs in the editions are also contrary to the clear and unambiguous notation of A: in A the slurs are separated only in bar 212, whereas in GE (→FE→EE) the division of the slur falls already on the bar line.
The alternative interpretation of the slur beginning in bar 212 suggested by us is based on the following grounds:
- in A one can see traces of deletion of the previous version of grace notes in the middle of bar 212 – there were probably three notes there, f2-g2-f2;
- the change was probably aimed at eliminating the surplus of repetitions of the f2 note – in the corrected version, the f2-g2-f2 mordent motif became an organic part of the phrase, since the function of its first note was taken by the f2 minim;
- the slur in bar 212 begins from a deleted grace note (probably f2), so the division of the slur would fall between the notes at the same pitch (f2), and the slur itself would firstly embrace the f2-g2-f2 mordent motif;
- it seems to be highly likely that in the new formula the mordent motif was supposed to remain under one slur, which Chopin, being in haste, did not mark though.
Compare the passage in the sources »
category imprint: Interpretations within context; Differences between sources; Corrections & alterations
issues: Inaccuracies in GE, Inaccuracies in FE, Corrections in A, Errors resulting from corrections
notation: Slurs