A comparison with similar b. 64 and 66, which are provided with pedalling markings in the sources, suggests that the markings in b. 26 and 28 were accidentally overlooked. However, it is not that obvious if we take into account the articulation and dynamic markings:
- in b. 26 and 28 Chopin marked the b
-b1 semiquavers with staccato dots, whereas in b. 64 and 66 they are encompassed with a slur; - in b. 26 we can see leggiero, in b. 64 –
, which may, but does not have to, indicate the same performance.
Along with different pedalling, it may point to a slightly different performance concept of these bars – the first time leggiero, staccato, without pedal, whereas the second – , legato, with pedal.
However, there are arguments against linking leggiero to staccato of the semiquavers and the absence of pedalling:
- combining staccato of the semiquavers with , and not leggiero in b. 28,
- combining staccato of the semiquavers with and the pedalling in b. 172,
- combining staccato with , leggiero and the pedalling in b. 170.
One must also remember that in [A] the reprise of the Polonaise was most probably marked in an abridged manner as repetition of the exposition. Therefore, all differences between b. 26 and 28 as well as b. 170 and 172 result either from the engraver's mistakes or corrections of FE, introduced only in one of these sections (which does not have to mean that Chopin wanted to differentiate between the exposition and the reprise, since he would often correct only some of the analogous places, considering the introduced changes to be binding for all places). Among the indications discussed above, we consider an oversight to be the most likely reason for the absence of in b. 26, whereas the missing pedalling markings in b. 26 and 28 could be explained by Chopin's proofreading in b. 170 and 172.
Therefore, we suggest adding pedalling markings in b. 26 in the main text. At the same time, we place a 
mark under the 5th quaver of the bar, hence slightly earlier than in b. 170 due to the possibility of an inaccurate reproduction of this detail in this bar.
Compare the passage in the sources »
category imprint: Editorial revisions
notation: Pedalling
