GE1
Main text
A - Autograph
GE - German edition
GE1 - First German edition
GE2 - Later impression of GE1
GET - Toruń copy
FE - French edition
FE1 - First French Edition
FED - Dubois copy
FEJ - Jędrzejewicz copy
FES - Stirling copy
FEFr - Franchomme copy
EE - English edition
EE1 - First English Edition
EE3 - Later impression of EE1
compare
  b. 72

The slurs in A interpreted in context

The slurs in A, alternative interpretation

The slur in GE (→FEEE)

The correct interpretation of the slurring of A in that bar poses considerable difficulties:

  • The lower slur (if that almost horizontal line is a slur at all) seems too short, which could be caused by insufficient space for writing its beginning legibly under b double flat1. Another possibility is that Chopin had drawn that slur before he drew the upper one, and he put in the upper slur in order to replace the lower, unclear one.
  • Also unclear is the extent of the upper slur (we do not know whether it was meant to begin from the 1st or from the 2nd note of the bar) and the connection of its beginning with the upper or the lower voice. 

In our suggested solutions we are trying to reconcile the acceptable graphic interpretation of those signs with their musical sense that could be considered natural in the context. In the main text we take into account both slurs written by Chopin retaining the independent slurring of both voices of the R.H.. The alternative solution underlines the melodic continuity of the semiquaver movement heard more clearly in this bar due to lack of imitative recurring of motifs. 

In GE (→FEEE) the lower slur was omitted.

Compare the passage in the sources »

category imprint: Graphic ambiguousness; Differences between sources

issues: Inaccurate slurs in A

notation: Slurs

Go to the music

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Original in: Fryderyk Chopin Museum, Warsaw