mUltimate Chopin

Op. 27 No 2, Nocturne in D♭ major

Text Compare Notes Sources Description

Issues : Unclear hairpins in A

b. 10

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

and espressivo in A

GE

FE

EE

Our suggestion based on A
..

The hairpins in A have the upper arm much longer than the lower one, yet the beginning of that sign is clearly linked with the second quaver of the bar. In GE the hairpins were matched to the beam, which was reproduced (with slight inaccuracies) in FE and EE.

We place the indication espressivo above the upper staff, not to interfere with  .

category imprint: Graphic ambiguousness; Differences between sources

issues: Unclear hairpins in A

b. 10

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

 A, upper arm

GE (→FE→EE)
..

The point where the mark begins in A is difficult to define, as its upper arm is clearly longer than the lower one. In GE, the upper arm reaching the beginning of the 2nd half of the bar was considered decisive; this is consistent with the general sign interpretation tendency in that edition. Hairpins of that length were also reproduced, with slight inaccuracies, in FE and EE. However, in the editors' opinion, the starting points of both marks in that bar were supposed to highlight the highest notes of the melody (cf. the previous remark).

category imprint: Graphic ambiguousness; Differences between sources

issues: Unclear hairpins in A

b. 27-28

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

 in A

GE1 (bar 27 opens a new line)

GE2

FE (→EE)

The editors’ proposal

 
..

None of the versions found in the sources can be treated as fully reflecting Chopin's intention. The notation of bars 26-28 in A – including   in bars 27-28 – seems quite untidy, and in GE1 and FE it is easy to point out at elements reproduced inaccurately or incorrectly. In our proposal we try to combine the least questionable elements of the notation of  A and FE (i.e. sources that can be considered the most authentic) to create a musically justified whole.

category imprint: Graphic ambiguousness; Interpretations within context; Differences between sources

issues: Errors in FE , Unclear hairpins in A

b. 34

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

 in A

GE (→FE→EE)
..

We give the   according to A.

category imprint: Graphic ambiguousness; Differences between sources

issues: Unclear hairpins in A

b. 37

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

Possibly a long accent in A

Short hairpins in  GE (→FE→EE)
..

The dynamic mark in A resembles a long accent. Yet, taking into account the marking of an analogous phrase two bars earlier, it can be considered diminuendo hairpins, and was interpreted as such in GE (→FE→EE). Anyway, the difference between the two interpretations is more academic than practical, both from the graphic and the performance-related point of view.

category imprint: Graphic ambiguousness

issues: Long accents , Unclear hairpins in A