mUltimate Chopin

Op. 27 No 2, Nocturne in D♭ major

Text Compare Notes Sources Description

Issues : Inaccurate slurs in A

b. 60

composition: Op. 27 No 2, Nocturne in D♭ major

A less probable reading of the slur in  A

A more probable reading of the slur in A (→GE→FE→EE)
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When read literally, the slur in A begins from the 2nd note of the run. However, we think the notation is inaccurate here - the end of that slur is definitely moved to the right. The composer intended the slur to begin from the first sustained note, and this is how it was understood in GE (→FE→EE).

category imprint: Graphic ambiguousness

issues: Inaccurate slurs in A

b. 60

composition: Op. 27 No 2, Nocturne in D♭ major

The slur of A, interpreted in context; GE (→FE→EE)

The slur of A, read literally
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When read literally, the slur in A begins on the 3rd semiquaver; what is more, it is not quite certain where it should end. The slur in GE (→FE→EE) is, in our opinion, the correct manner of interpretation of the notation of A, which may be due to Chopin's intervention.

category imprint: Graphic ambiguousness; Interpretations within context

issues: Inaccurate slurs in A , Authentic corrections of GE

b. 70

composition: Op. 27 No 2, Nocturne in D♭ major

The lower slur of A interpreted in context.

GE (→FE→EE)

The editors'  suggestion - the slur is removed
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Under the semiquaver figure in the second half of the bar A has a slur embracing 5 or 6 semiquavers. That slur could also link  the minim d flat2 of the lower voice with c2 at the beginning of the subsequent bar. In the editors' opinion, it is more likely that the slur related to the upper voice and became unnecessary when a new slur was added above, running over the entire motif and reaching the crotchet a flat2 in bar 71. In the editions, the slur extends over 6 semiquavers.

category imprint: Graphic ambiguousness; Differences between sources

issues: Inaccurate slurs in A

b. 71

composition: Op. 27 No 2, Nocturne in D♭ major

The lower slur of A, interpreted in context

The lower slur in GE and EE

FE

A possible interpretation of the slur in FEJ
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When read literally, the lower voice slur in A embraces just five semiquavers,  up to g flat2, which is probably one of quite many inaccuracies to be found in that part of the manuscript. In GE (and EE) the slur embraces six semiquavers, and in FE it reaches up to the crotchet e flat2, which seems most natural in the light of slurring of analogous motifs of the upper voice. The mark added in FEJ may, but does not necessarily have to, be a slur.

category imprint: Graphic ambiguousness; Differences between sources; Corrections & alterations

issues: Annotations in teaching copies , Inaccuracies in GE , Inaccuracies in FE , Inaccurate slurs in A , EE inaccuracies , Authentic corrections of FE , Annotations in FEJ

b. 72

composition: Op. 27 No 2, Nocturne in D♭ major

The slurs in A interpreted in context

The slurs in A, alternative interpretation

The slur in GE (→FE→EE)
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A has two slurs in that bar, over and under the R.H. part, yet none of them allows one to clearly read the composer's intention regarding phrasing. We give the two most probable interpretations of those slurs. GE →FE→EE have the upper slur only.

category imprint: Graphic ambiguousness; Differences between sources

issues: Inaccurate slurs in A