mUltimate Chopin

Op. 31, Scherzo in B♭ minor

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Slurs

b. 494-507

composition: Op. 31, Scherzo in B♭ minor

7 five-note slurs in A (contextual interpretation→FC→GE)

6 five-note slurs & 1 longer in FE

5 five-note slurs & 2 longer in EE
..

The analysis of the slurs of A used in the ostinato figures of the R.H. bottom/middle voice leads to the conclusion that slurs other than 5-note long – the shorter slur in b. 498 and the one in b. 502 suggesting continuation at the end of the line – are most probably a result of inaccurate notation. Therefore, it is the 5-note slurs that we give in the main text as the only version. In FE (→EE) the slur in b. 502 was led to b. 503, while in EE it was also the slur in b. 504-505 that was extended in a similar manner. Taking into account a broader context – longer slurs in b. 508-515 as well as in similar b. 310-333 and 412-435 – we suggest six-note slurs as an alternative solution in all discussed bars.

category imprint: Graphic ambiguousness; Differences between sources; Editorial revisions

issues: Inaccurate slurs in A , EE inaccuracies , Uncertain slur continuation

b. 497-498

composition: Op. 31, Scherzo in B♭ minor

Slur in bar 497 in A (→FC,FE→EE)

Slur to bar 498 in GE
..

The slur of A (→FC,FE→EE) must be inaccurate, which is proven by:

  • a comparison with almost all analogous motifs in this section (except for b. 507-508);
  • the traces of prolonging the slurs, visible in A, initially also encompassing only 2 crotchets – cf. b. 495-496, 501-502, 503-504 and 513-514).

There is a similar situation in b. 507-508.

category imprint: Interpretations within context; Differences between sources; Corrections & alterations; Source & stylistic information

issues: Inaccurate slurs in A , Corrections in A , GE revisions

b. 502

composition: Op. 31, Scherzo in B♭ minor

Slur in A (→FC→GE)

No slur in FE (→EE)
..

The missing slur must be a result of inaccuracy of the engraver of FE (→EE).

category imprint: Differences between sources

issues: Errors in FE

b. 503-504

composition: Op. 31, Scherzo in B♭ minor

Lower-part slur in A (→FC→GE)

No slur in FE (→EE)
..

The absence of the slur encompassing the two-note sequence of the bass must be a mistake of FE (→EE). Admittedly, the slur of A is vague and goes through the area of the crossings-out, yet it does not make an impression of having been removed.

category imprint: Differences between sources

issues: Errors in FE , Errors resulting from corrections

b. 505-506

composition: Op. 31, Scherzo in B♭ minor

Two-note slur in A (→FC→GE)

Whole-bar slur in FE

4-notes slur in EE
..

The inaccurate slur of A, which starts slightly too early, was misinterpreted in FE (→EE). In turn, the inaccuracy of FE – the end of the slur in b. 505 suggests continuation, which is not confirmed by b. 506 in a new line, which does not contain an ending of that slur – resulted in a further erroneous extension of the slur in EE.

category imprint: Graphic ambiguousness; Differences between sources

issues: EE revisions , Inaccuracies in FE , Inaccurate slurs in A