mUltimate Chopin

Op. 21, Concerto in F minor, Mvt II

Text Compare Notes Sources Description

Issues : Annotations in teaching copies

b. 39

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

Grace note b2 in A, FES & GE2

a2 in GE1 (→FE→EE)
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The version with the a2 grace note present in GE1 (→FE→EE) is almost certainly a mistake, which is confirmed by the correction of this note written in FES. The version of A was restored also in GE2.

category imprint: Differences between sources

issues: Annotations in teaching copies , Errors in FE , Errors in EE , Errors in GE , GE revisions , Annotations in FES

b. 41

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

b1 in A, FE (→EE) & GE2

b1 in GE1 & FED
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The changes in the pitch of the 2nd note in particular sources seem to prove Chopin's hesitation; the order of the versions is as follows: b1 in A, b1 in GE1, b1 returned in a proofreading of FE (→EE), most probably by Chopin, and b1 written in FED (the version of GE2 is most probably a result of a revision on the basis of A). Chopin's hesitation seems to touch the basic structure of the phrase here: melodically, the beginning of the bar is related to the previous figure, containing a b1, harmonically, it inclines towards the next chord (on the 4th crotchet of bar 41), containing a b1. A melodic solution equal to the version with b1 was used by Chopin against a similar chord in the Mazurka in A minor, Dbop. 42B, bar 52. However, one has to point out that although the authenticity of the version with b1 is unquestionable (A and a proofreading of FE), the first appearance of the version with b1 could be ascribed to a mistake (revision?) of GE while the interpretation of an entry in FED as an added  is not entirely certain. Due to this reason, in the main text we give b1. 

category imprint: Differences between sources

issues: Annotations in teaching copies , Annotations in FED , Chopin's hesitations , GE revisions , Authentic corrections of FE , Authentic corrections of GE

b. 44-45

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

Fingering written into FED

No teaching fingering
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The fingering written in FED does not concern the version with the harmonic accompaniment in the L.H. written in FES.

category imprint: Differences between sources

issues: Annotations in teaching copies , Annotations in FED

b. 45-52

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

Accompaniment in FES, literal interpretation

Accompaniment in FES, contextual interpretation

Version of remaining sources
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In FES Chopin wrote a simplified reduction of the recitative's orchestral accompaniment, which can be used while performing this movement solo. The accompaniment is to be played with the L.H. instead of the original part and in few places also the part of the R.H. was completed. In bars 45-47 the notation is most probably inaccurate – the applied abbreviation, when interpreted literally, orders striking the bass in the bottom octave (A1), which is both sonically unjustified and technically uncomfortable (cf. similar inaccuracies in the Etude in A major, Op. 25 No. 1, bars 1-8 and the Nocturne in D major, Op. 27 No. 2, bar 1).

After choosing the version with the harmonic accompaniment, it may be necessary to select relevant versions also in bars 45 (pedal), 46 (staccato dots), 47-48 (slurs), 51 (slurs) and 52 (slurs and staccato signs).

category imprint: Differences between sources; Corrections & alterations

issues: Annotations in teaching copies , Annotations in FES , Authentic post-publication changes and variants

b. 53-63

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

Accompaniment in FES, interpretation

Version of remaining sources
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Harmonic accompaniment written into FES – see bars 45-52.

After selecting this version, it may be necessary to choose relevant versions also in bar 53 (slurs and accents), 53-54 (staccato signs), 54, 56-57, 57-61, 62 and 63 (slurs).

category imprint: Interpretations within context; Differences between sources

issues: Annotations in teaching copies , Annotations in FES , Authentic post-publication changes and variants