mUltimate Chopin

Op. 21, Concerto in F minor, Mvt I

Text Compare Notes Sources Description

Issues : Inaccurate slurs in A

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. 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
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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. 145

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

Slur from 2nd quaver in A (probable reading) & GE2

Slur from 1st quaver in A (possible reading→GE1→FE→EE)
..

The starting point of the slur in the L.H. in the 1st half of the bar is unclear in A, since it partially blends in with the con forza indication. We assume that the slur runs from the 2nd quaver, since such slurs are present in bars 241-246, based on a similar texture, as well as in bar 32 and 81 in the 2nd movement of the Concerto. The version of the majority of editions may, however, be considered an equal interpretation.

category imprint: Graphic ambiguousness; Differences between sources

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