mUltimate Chopin

Op. 21, Concerto in F minor, Mvt I

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Slurs

b. 136

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

Slur in A (literal reading→GE→FE→EE)

Slur in A, contextual interpretation
..

The slur in A is misleading – placed over the crotchets of the bottom voice, yet it clearly indicates the b minim as its beginning. The doubt is dissipated – to the favour of a slur combining the crotchets – by a slur in analogous bar 284. 

category imprint: Graphic ambiguousness; Differences between sources

issues: Inaccurate slurs in A

b. 136-137

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

Slur to e2 in A, contextual interpretation

Slur to e2 in A (possible interpretation→GE→FE→EE)
..

According to us, the slur of A, extended by Chopin until the bar line, was supposed to lead to f2 at the beginning of bar 137. However, its range is not entirely clear, which was reproduced in GE – the slur in bar 136, at the end of the line, suggests a continuation, which is however absent in bar 137. We assume – same as FE (→EE) – that it means separated slurs, which are at the same time an alternative possibility of interpreting A.

category imprint: Graphic ambiguousness; Differences between sources

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

b. 138-140

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

No slurs in A (→GE→FE)

5 slurs in EE
..

Adding slurs in the L.H., modelled after the recapitulation (bars 286-288), is a deliberate revision of EE, in which sempre legato, added in FE, was omitted at the same time – see the adjacent note. The English editor would arbitrarily add slurs also in other pieces by Chopin, e.g. in the Nocturne in Dmajor, Op. 27 No. 2, bars 2-6.  

category imprint: Differences between sources

issues: EE revisions

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. 141

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

No slur in A (→GE→FE)

Slur in EE
..

The slur over the entire bar, added in EE, is probably inauthentic in this place. It was supposedly drawn from analogous bar 289, where its authenticity is also uncertain. 

category imprint: Differences between sources

issues: EE revisions