The missing b1 note on the last quaver in GE may be an oversight. According to us, however, it is more likely that Chopin added this note in the last proofreading of FE. It is indicated by visible traces of changes in FE, i.e. an inaccurate alignment of the upper section of the stem, reaching this note, with respect to the lower one, which would be impossible if the entire stem was engraved as one line, and the trace of removing b1 in the last chord in the R.H. Therefore, the proofreading would consist in replacing the broad chord in the R.H. (with a span of a ninth) – b1-e2-b2-c3 – with an easier chord – c2-e2-b2-c3 – and in adding a b1 to the last chord in the L.H.
In EE2 the b1 was probably deleted due to a comparison with a copy of GE; the correct text was reinstated in EE3.
Compare the passage in the sources »
category imprint: Differences between sources
issues: EE revisions, Errors in GE, Authentic corrections of FE
notation: Pitch