mUltimate Chopin

Op. 31, Scherzo in B♭ minor

Text Compare Notes Sources Description

Issues : Fontana's revisions

b. 477

composition: Op. 31, Scherzo in B♭ minor

..

The  raising a3 to a3, overlooked in A (→FE), was added in FC (→GE) and EE. The mark was also added in FESf.

category imprint: Interpretations within context; Differences between sources

issues: Annotations in teaching copies , EE revisions , Accidentals in different octaves , Fontana's revisions , Inaccuracies in A , Errors repeated in FE , Annotations in FESf

b. 706

composition: Op. 31, Scherzo in B♭ minor

g2-c3-g3 in A (literal reading→FE→EE)

g2-c3-g3 in FC (→GE)
..

In the main text we give the version of the principal source, i.e. FC (→GE). Although the naturals visible in the copy were almost certainly written by Fontana, the fact that Chopin carefully revised the entire copy allows us to assume that the composer accepted that addition. The version is also supported by a more natural development of the melodic line: in final progressions Chopin uses a rhythmic cell consisting of 3 repeated notes, which in b. 705 awakens expectations of continuation with the use of a chord featuring g2-g3. EE2 (→EE3) arbitrarily added cautionary flats before the discussed notes.

category imprint: Interpretations within context; Differences between sources

issues: EE revisions , Errors of A , Fontana's revisions

b. 722-723

composition: Op. 31, Scherzo in B♭ minor

End of slur in A, contextual interpretation

Shorter slur in FC (→GE) & FE (→EE)
..

The slur of A is most probably unfinished due to ink flow problems; however, it is unclear where it should end. Two possibilities are involved: the beginning of b. 723, which is supported by the slurs in the analogous situations in b. 718-719, 758-759 and 762-763, or the end of b. 722, as it was interpreted by the copyist and which is indicated by the bend of the right-hand ending of the slur (or its visible, written part). In the main text we adopt the former, yet we consider the latter to be equivalent.

category imprint: Graphic ambiguousness; Differences between sources

issues: Inaccurate slurs in A , FE revisions , Fontana's revisions