mUltimate Chopin

Op. 31, Scherzo in B♭ minor

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Verbal indications

b. 82

composition: Op. 31, Scherzo in B♭ minor

No indication in A (→FE→EE)

dolce in FC (→GE)
..

The dolce indication was added in FC (→GE) by Chopin.

category imprint: Differences between sources

issues: Authentic corrections of FC

b. 109-113

composition: Op. 31, Scherzo in B♭ minor

No indication in A

cresc. from bar 109 in FC (→GE)

cresc. from bar 110 in FE (→EE)
..

Chopin added a several-bar long crescendo both in FC (→GE) and in the proofreading of FE (→EE) (the latter started a bar later). In the main text we give the indication of FC, since it forms part of a much more detailed set of dynamic indications for the entire theme. The dashes marking the range of the crescendo are led in both groups of sources (except for GE1) to the  mark, which, however, falls on a different bar in each of the groups: see the note to b. 114-117.

category imprint: Differences between sources

issues: Authentic corrections of FE , Authentic corrections of FC

b. 114-117

composition: Op. 31, Scherzo in B♭ minor

in bar 114 in A (→FE→EE)

 & - - -  in FC & GE2 (→GE3)

 &  in GE1
..

 was added by Chopin in A most probably after the completion of FC, since there are no traces of its deletion in the copy. However, it does not have to mean that Chopin added it after having proofread and completed FC. Anyway, the placement of this indication already in b. 114 was confirmed by the preceding cresc. added in FE and, above all, by  added in FE in analog. b. 246. The missing ending of the dashes following the cresc. from bar 109 must be a mistake of GE1. In the main text we give the markings of FC, like in this entire theme; however, the version of A and FE (→EE) is to be considered equivalent. After all, the difference between the actual implementations of both concepts is minimal.  

category imprint: Differences between sources

issues: Corrections in A , Authentic corrections of FC

b. 154

composition: Op. 31, Scherzo in B♭ minor

 in A (→FC) & GE2 (→GE3)

No marking in FE (→EE)

in GE1
..

The missing  is most probably an oversight of the engraver of FE. The  marking featured here in GE1 must also be a mistake, which was corrected in GE2 (→GE3).

category imprint: Differences between sources

issues: Errors in FE , Errors in GE , GE revisions , fz – f

b. 189

composition: Op. 31, Scherzo in B♭ minor

No marking in A (→FC→GE1, →FE→EE) & GE3

in GE2
..

The authentic sources are devoid of the dynamic marking, which may suggest that it is  from b. 185 that is valid. According to us, it is an oversight of the composer, since it is only the  dynamics that can comprehensively reveal the fullness of sound of this virtuoso passage, encompassing almost the entire available range on Chopin's pianos. Chopin could have also assumed that another repetition of an identical passage (the last written out with notes) for the fourth time – after b. 49, 57 & 181 – does not require a reminder of the proper dynamics. Due to the above reason, in order to avoid misunderstandings, in the main text we add . A similar addition was introduced in GE2, but removed in GE3.
A similar situation can be found in b. 640. 

category imprint: Differences between sources; Editorial revisions

issues: GE revisions