mUltimate Chopin

Op. 21, Concerto in F minor, Mvt I

Text Compare Notes Sources Description

Issues : EE inaccuracies

b. 151-153

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

..

In the main text we give the pedalling of A as the only authentic. In spite of minor inaccuracies, bars 151-154 include detailed and consistent indications in A – the moment of pedal release is slightly different in each of four situations within two-bar phrases. The subtlety was partially lost in the editions, whereas the differences between them most probably stem from attempts (generally feeble) to order the notation made by engravers or revisers.

category imprint: Differences between sources

issues: Inaccuracies in GE , EE inaccuracies

b. 185

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

Long accent under L.H. in A

Accents on 2nd & 3rd R.H. quaver in GE1 (→FE)

Accents on 1st & 3rd R.H. quaver in EE

Short L.H. accent in GE2
..

In the main text we give the notation of A, the only authentic according to us. The versions of editions are a sequence of cumulative mistakes, inaccuracies, misinterpretations and arbitrary changes:

  • the most plausible explanation of the additional accent in GE1 is an unfinished proofreading – the erroneously printed accent on the 3rd quaver was left in spite of adding the correct sign on the 2nd quaver (see also the note on rhythm in this place). Moreover, both signs were printed too high, so that they seem to apply rather to the R.H., contrary to Chopin's intention, who wrote the accent in A under the crotchet in the L.H.;
  • in FE both accents already clearly apply to the R.H.; the first one was placed inaccurately, between the 1st and 2nd quavers;
  • EE added its portion of inaccuracies and arbitrary decisions, as a result of which, instead of the long accent on the 2nd quaver in the L.H., as it is in A, the edition gives two vertical accents, over the 1st and 3rd quavers in the R.H.;

GE2 generally restored the notation of A.

category imprint: Differences between sources

issues: Long accents , EE revisions , Inaccuracies in FE , Errors in GE , GE revisions , EE inaccuracies , Partial corrections

b. 196

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

..

In A (→GE→FE) there are no naturals raising d2(3) to d2(3). Chopin's patent oversight was partially corrected in EE, by adding a  before the chord in the middle of the bar. The second necessary sign was added only in EE3. The absence of signs in GE2 draws attention, particularly considering the fact that a cautionary  before f3 was added there.

category imprint: Interpretations within context; Differences between sources

issues: EE revisions , Errors in FE , Errors in GE , GE revisions , Omission of current key accidentals , EE inaccuracies , Inaccuracies in A

b. 218

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

..

In EE and GE2 the accent was reproduced as short. See the previous note.

category imprint: Differences between sources

issues: Long accents , Inaccuracies in GE , EE inaccuracies

b. 219

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

 in A

 in GE (→FE)

 in EE
..

Similarly as in bars 217-218, we consider the subsequent shortenings of the  sign in GE (→FE) and EE to be accidental, hence in the main text we reproduce the notation of A.

category imprint: Differences between sources

issues: Inaccuracies in GE , EE inaccuracies