Op. 21, Concerto in F minor, Mvt III

 b. 5-6

In order to try to unravel the mystery of the emergence of the version of GE1 (→FE), we have to take into consideration both the tie of f¹ and the slur present in the sources. A comparison of this version with the completely transparent and not utterly complicated notation of A may imply Chopin's proofreading. However, the version of GE1, in its preserved form, could not have been the aim of a possible proofreading, since both introduced changes resulted in vague and questionable notations – the tie of f¹ actually indicates the same performance as the one written in A, though the latter is easier to understand (f¹ is not played in bar 6), whereas the slur is printed inaccurately, so that it is uncertain which notes it combines (c¹-d¹, c¹-b or even a-b). According to us, if Chopin really proofread GE1, the aim of the proofreading could have been a version compliant with the text of A (except for a doubled slur). It would be an example of a "half-proofreading," in which new elements were added (a dot extending the minim in bar 5 and a longer tie), yet f¹ was not removed from the chord on the 3rd crotchet.

However, it is possible that the version of GE1 did not result from a proofreading but from an erroneous placement of both curved lines – the slur was moved to the top, to the note heads, whereas the tie was lowered, so that it did not collide with the latter. The addition of the dot extending the minim at the beginning of bar 5 may also be a mistake, e.g. by "generalising" dots next to the minims. As a consequence, the slur became a tie and the other way round.

Subsequent editions tried to confer a meaning to the vague version of GE1. FE corrected the bottom slur, so that its inclination was compliant with the direction of movement of the voices it applies to. EE introduced far-reaching changes – the f¹ crotchet was removed from the last chord in bar 5, probably after the corresponding bar of the recapitulation (bar 329); moreover, another slur was added to the existing one.

In the main text we present the unquestionable, correct text of A.

category imprint: Interpretations within context; Differences between sources

issues: EE revisions, Placement of markings, Errors in GE, GE revisions, Authentic corrections of GE, Partial corrections

notation: Rhythm