mUltimate Chopin

Op. 21, Concerto in F minor, Mvt II

Text Compare Notes Sources Description

Issues : Authentic corrections of GE

b. 15

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

No slur in A

Slur in GE (→FE→EE)
..

The slur featured in GE (→FE→EE) may seem superfluous in the face of the legato indication. However, in works by Chopin one can encounter undoubtedly authentic juxtapositions of this kind, e.g. in the Nocturnes in G minor, Op. 37 No. 1, bar 1 or in F minor, Op. 55 No. 1, bar 77. Due to this fact, we give the slur in the main text (as probably added by Chopin). Similarly in bar 83.

category imprint: Differences between sources; Corrections & alterations

issues: Authentic corrections of GE

b. 17

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

Slur in A & GE2

2 slurs in GE1 (→FE→EE)
..

In this case, it is hard to state how the discrepancies between the slurring of A and GE1 (→FE→EE) occurred. Although one cannot see traces of a possible Chopin proofreading in print, it does not mean such a possibility is definitely excluded. On the other hand, an arbitrary change of the engraver, whose result is compatible with Chopin slurring of the repetition of this phrase in the ending (bars 85-86), seems to be highly unlikely. Therefore, both versions may be considered equal; to the main text we adopt the one whose authenticity remains beyond any doubt, i.e. A (and GE2).

category imprint: Differences between sources

issues: GE revisions , Authentic corrections of GE

b. 21

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

..

In A there are no naturals raising d3(2) to d3(2). Chopin's patent oversight was corrected (perhaps by himself) already in GE (→FE→EE).

category imprint: Interpretations within context; Differences between sources

issues: Omission of current key accidentals , Errors of A , Authentic corrections of GE

b. 22

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

..

In A the naturals raising d notes to d are written only on the 4th beat of the bar. In spite of this, there are no doubts that d is required in the entire 2nd half of the bar. In GE1 (→FE→EE, →GE2) a  raising d3 to d3 at the beginning of the 3rd beat of the bar was added (referring also to d4), but only EE and GE2 include a corresponding sign before the penultimate semiquaver.

category imprint: Interpretations within context; Differences between sources; Editorial revisions

issues: EE revisions , Accidentals in different octaves , Inaccuracies in GE , Inaccuracies in FE , GE revisions , Omission of current key accidentals , Errors of A , Authentic corrections of GE

b. 25

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

E1-G1-E-G in A, literal reading

G1-B1-E-G in A (probable interpretation) & GE2

G1-E-G in GE1 (→FE→EE)
..

The chord written in A, although acceptable from the harmonic point of view, is almost certainly erroneous due to its sonically unjustified piano complication. However, it remains unclear which chord Chopin meant:

  • G1-B1-E-G seems to be most natural: an octave transposition of chords is a popular means of the virtuoso concert texture (cf., e.g. the 3rd mov., bar 69 or 511-513). We would then be dealing with Chopin's typical Terzverschreibung error. This is how it was interpreted in GE2 and we suggest this interpretation as the text of A;
  • G1-E-G – a lighter chord due to a very low register (cf. the 3rd mov., bar 77). In this case it is also a Terzverschreibung error that would have to be taken into consideration: Chopin could have written the correct chord and then consider the bottom note to be a B1 and "correct" the alleged mistake, by adding a note placed a third below (the top bottom note seems to have been added later). Such a scenario assumes, however, that two mistakes were committed: an erroneous evaluation of the pitch of the written note and the fact of leaving it, in spite of the fact it was supposed to be removed (cf. the Etude in G major, Op. 10 No. 5, bars 83-84).

In any case, the proofreading of GE1 (→FE→EE), probably coming from Chopin, must be considered to be the final decision and this is the version we give in the main text.

category imprint: Interpretations within context; Differences between sources

issues: Terzverschreibung error , GE revisions , Errors of A , Authentic corrections of GE , Partial corrections