mUltimate Chopin

Op. 21, Concerto in F minor, Mvt III

Text Compare Notes Sources Description

Issues : Inaccurate slurs in A

b. 52-53

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

Slur in sources

Slur suggested by the editors after Morch
..

The slur of A is most probably inaccurate, since there is no reason to separate the last note of the phrase, played by the wind quartet and provided with one continuous slur in Morch. Therefore, in the main text we suggest a slur corresponding to the phrasing written in the parts of violin I and clarinet I in Morch.

category imprint: Differences between sources; Editorial revisions

issues: Inaccurate slurs in A

b. 54-57

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

Slur in A (literal reading) & GE2

Slur in A, contextual interpretation

Slur in GE1 (→FE)

Alternative interpretation of GE1

Different interpretation of #Wn1

2 slurs in EE
..

In the main text we give the slur of A, interpreted in a way not contrary to the notation and compliant with the natural phrasing resulting from the instrumentation. A similar solution was adopted in GE2, taking into account the literal interpretation of the slur. The authenticity of the remaining versions seems to be questionable; it is only in the case of GE1 that one can assume a misunderstanding at the time of performing Chopin's possible proofreading – hence suggestions of alternative solutions.

category imprint: Differences between sources; Editorial revisions

issues: Inaccurate slurs in A , GE revisions

b. 101

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

Slur form 2nd beat in A (probable interpretation→GE1→FE→EE)

Dot & slur from 3rd beat in A (possible interpretation) & GE2
..

It is uncertain which articulation for the 2nd crotchet in the bar Chopin envisioned. A small spot over the note could be a staccato dot, and it was reproduced as such in GE2. In this case, the inaccurate beginning of the slur of A should be interpreted as written with flourish, yet concerning only the 3rd crotchet. According to us, it is still possible that the spot constitutes the beginning of the slur, separated from the following part due to ink stoppage. A abounds in defects of this kind, although they generally do not hamper the interpretation of the composer's intention – cf. e.g. 1st mov., bar 216 or 309, 2nd mov., bar 16. (The mentioned spot can be simply a spot and not be related to the notation of the Concerto at all). In the main text we give a slur from the 2nd crotchet due to:

  • analogy with bar 97,
  • a potential Chopin proofreading of the slur in GE1 (→FE→EE), which seems to be indicated by certain minor printing defects around this slur.

category imprint: Graphic ambiguousness; Differences between sources

issues: Inaccurate slurs in A , GE revisions , Authentic corrections of GE

b. 117-120

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

Slur in bar 117 in  A, literal reading

Slur in bars 117-118 in GE

2 slurs in bars 117-120 in FE (→EE)

Slur in bars 117-120 suggested by the editors
..

The slur of A cannot correspond to the intention of Chopin, who probably interrupted drawing the slur due to lack of space – due to deletions in the part of the R.H. its final version was written on an adjacent stave, as a result of which its topmost elements already reach the viola part. Moreover, it cannot be excluded that the composer considered the octave sign to be a continuation of the slur (cf. a similar situation in the Etude in E major, op. 10 no. 11, bars 40-42). GE (→FE→EE) embraced with a slur bars 117-118, which is probably a result of Chopin's proofreading. A slur added in bars 119-120 in FE (→EE) is probably an authentic addition too. These possible corrections indicate, according to us, that the intention was to embrace with a slur the entire four-bar section, same as in bars 85-89, 93-96 and 109-112. Division of the slur between bars 118 and 119 is almost certainly a result of distraction related to the transition to a new page both in A and in GE (→FE). Due to this reason, in the main text we suggest one slur over these bars. 

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

issues: Inaccurate slurs in A , Authentic corrections of FE , Authentic corrections of GE

b. 171

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

New slur in A (contextual interpretation) & GE2

Slur continued in GE1 (→FE→EE)
..

The slur embracing c3 and a2 in bar 171 in A begins still in bar 170, and in GE1 (→FE→EE) it was interpreted as running from the last crotchet in this bar (e3). According to us, it is not right, which is indicated by the slurs beginning from the c3 minims in bars 173 and 175. An argument for the start of the slur from the minim could be also the slur in the L.H., of the same range, as long as it was added by Chopin.

category imprint: Graphic ambiguousness; Differences between sources

issues: EE revisions , Inaccurate slurs in A , GE revisions , Authentic corrections of GE