The placement of the mark in the majority of the sources gives rise to doubts, particularly if we take into account the dynamic markings in analogous bars 132, 136 and 140, in which the same mark is placed on the 2nd quaver of the bar (bar 132) or at the beginning (bars 136 and 140). It is apparent from the comparison of all four places that:
- the general dynamic scheme of those phrases is identical – --cresc.;
- as part of that scheme, among the indications defining the absolute level of dynamics, it is only the first two that are not clearly related to the beginning of the passage;
- a later indication of in the first two phrases cannot mark dynamic nuances, since they would blur the clarity of the superior scheme.
Therefore, the notation of bar 128 and 132 is most probably inaccurate, which was, according to us, provoked by the fact that Chopin used an earlier notational convention, according to which performance indications were put within the scope of their validity, and not at the beginning.
Compare the passage in the sources »
category imprint: Interpretations within context; Differences between sources
issues: GE revisions, Centrally placed marks
notation: Verbal indications