mUltimate Chopin

Op. 21, Concerto in F minor, Mvt I

Text Compare Notes Sources Description

Issues : Inaccuracies in GE

b. 141

composition: Op. 21, Concerto in F minor, Mvt I

Slur from c2 in A, literal reading

Slur from a2 in A, possible interpretation

Slur from b1 in GE (→FE→EE)
..

The slur's starting moment raises doubts in the sources. Perhaps the slur of A, according to Chopin's intention, was to embrace only two notes of the top voice, which was so clearly marked in the recapitulation (bar 289). On the other hand, the slur of A, interpreted literally, as well as the version of the editions may also be considered an expression of the composer's intention:

  • a slur from c2 coincides with a shortened value of the preceding note in the top voice, b2, which was written as a quaver without a dot;
  • a slur from b1 also refers to the mentioned shortening of b2, yet it does not separate the b1-c2 motif, creating a pendant both to the earlier d2-e2 motif and to the ones in the top voice.

category imprint: Graphic ambiguousness; Differences between sources

issues: Inaccuracies in GE , Inaccurate slurs in A

b. 142-143

composition: Op. 21, Concerto in F minor, Mvt I

Slur in A, contextual interpretation

Slur in GE1 (→FE→EE)

Slur in GE2
..

The inaccurate slur of A, when interpreted literally, embraces only the group of small quavers and c2. However, the shape of the slur clearly suggests that it is supposed to reach b1 at the end of bar 142. The slur of GE1 (→FE→EE) is certainly inaccurate, both in terms of the starting moment and the ending. GE2 corrected the ending of the slur only. 

category imprint: Graphic ambiguousness; Differences between sources

issues: Inaccuracies in GE , Inaccurate slurs in A , GE revisions

b. 144

composition: Op. 21, Concerto in F minor, Mvt I

Long accent in A

 in GE (→FE→EE)
..

Even if we consider the sign of A to be , the editions reproduced it inaccurately, extending it until the 4th quaver. However, the sign in A is almost certainly a long accent – cf. a sign of the same length on the last crotchet as well as a number of others, e.g. in bars 118-120, 125, 133.

category imprint: Graphic ambiguousness; Differences between sources

issues: Long accents , Inaccuracies in GE

b. 145

composition: Op. 21, Concerto in F minor, Mvt I

New slur from c2 in A

New slur from d2 in GE (→FE→EE)
..

The earlier division of the slur in the editions is certainly a result of distraction of the engraver of GE1, who, seeing a similarly shaped group of four notes, gave a third consecutive four-note slur. The slurs probably indicate here the following rhythmic grouping of this 18-note figure: 4-4-5-5.

category imprint: Differences between sources

issues: Inaccuracies in GE

b. 145

composition: Op. 21, Concerto in F minor, Mvt I

 before 5th quaver in A

 before 3rd quaver in GE (→FE→EE)
..

The too early placed  sign is undoubtedly an inaccuracy of GE (→FE→EE), undermining the dramatic effect of the dynamically exposed phrase (con forza).

category imprint: Differences between sources

issues: Inaccuracies in GE