mUltimate Chopin

Op. 31, Scherzo in B♭ minor

Text Compare Notes Sources Description

Issues : Long accents

b. 227

composition: Op. 31, Scherzo in B♭ minor

No mark in A (→FE→EE)

 in FC (literal reading→GE1)

Short accent in GE2 (→GE3)

Long accent suggested by the editors
..

Interpretation of the  mark entered by Chopin into FC is problematic. Placed under the top stave, like all other dynamic hairpins in this theme, it seems to fill almost an entire bar. It was interpreted as such in GE1; it is that literal interpretation that we assume as the text of FC. However, a comparison with analogous b. 95 allows us to recognise another interpretation: in both bars Chopin most probably meant a long accent. The flamboyantly written top arm of the hairpin starts before the minim, to which this mark undoubtedly applies; it is typical of the notation of long accents, cf., e.g. the mark in the next bar or precisely in b. 95. The bottom, shorter arm, written last, may be considered more reliable in terms of the intended length of the sign, and it is as long as the unquestionable long accent in b. 228. Due to the above reason, in the main text we reproduce the mark as a long accent, like in b. 95. GE2 (→GE3) also unified this mark with b. 95.
There is a similar situation in b. 678. 

category imprint: Graphic ambiguousness; Differences between sources

issues: Long accents , Scope of dynamic hairpins , GE revisions , Authentic corrections of FC

b. 250-256

composition: Op. 31, Scherzo in B♭ minor

Accents &  in A

& accent in FC (→GE1)

Different accents in FE

Different R.H. & L.H. accents in EE

Short accents in GE2 (→GE3)

Long accents, our alternative suggestion
..

Despite significant differences in the length of the marks in b. 250, 252, 254 & 256 visible in A, we consider all of them to be accents. The mark in b. 250 in itself could be regarded as a long accent; however, in the context of two subsequent ones, we interpret it as a short accent. Due to the reasons discussed in analogous b. 118-124, in the main text we give a notation unified with four short accents; such a solution was also applied in GE2 (→GE3). The two missing marks in FC (→GE1) are most probably an oversight, while the changes introduced in EE, with differentiated accents for both hands and vertical accents, the latter being typical of that edition – a revision.   

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

issues: Long accents , EE revisions , Inaccuracies in GE , GE revisions

b. 311-333

composition: Op. 31, Scherzo in B♭ minor

3 long, 8 short accents in A

11 short accents in FC (→GE1) & FE (→EE)

12 short accents in GE2 (→GE3)
..

The accents, written in A in b. 311, 313 and analog., have almost certainly the same meaning despite the differences – generally minor ones – in length and shape. The majority of the marks are rather short; however, a few (b. 311, 317 & 333) may be considered long. Four undoubtedly long accents appear also in the repetition of this section (b. 417, 425, 433 & 435), which makes us place in the main text long accents only. At the same time, we add the accent in b. 331, overlooked by Chopin. We consider the version of GE2 (→GE3) with a set of short accents to be an alternative solution.

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

issues: Long accents

b. 332

composition: Op. 31, Scherzo in B♭ minor

Inverted long accent in A

Long accent in FC

in FE (→EE)

Short accent in GE
..

In the main text we give a long accent with which Chopin replaced in FC the original reversed accent, inaccurately reproduced as a  hairpin both in FC and FE (→EE). The short accent in GE is a typical inaccuracy related to Chopinesque long accents, which do not belong to the canon of generally applied indications.

category imprint: Differences between sources; Corrections & alterations

issues: Long accents , Authentic corrections of FC

b. 413-435

composition: Op. 31, Scherzo in B♭ minor

1 long, 9 short accents in FC

9 short accents in FE

10 short accents in GE1

10 short accents in EE

12 short accents in GE2 (→GE3)

12 long accents suggested by the editors
..

The accents written in A in b. 413, 415 and analog. mean almost certainly the same despite differences, generally minor ones, in length and shape. The majority of the marks is rather short; however, four (b. 417, 425, 433 and 435) are definitely long, which makes us provide the main text with long accents only. At the same time, we add the accents Chopin overlooked in b. 419 and 431. We consider the version of GE2 (→GE3) with a complete set of short accents to be an alternative solution.
The mark in b. 435 was overlooked in FE (→EE), whereas the mark in b. 419 was added in EE. 

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

issues: Long accents , EE revisions , Errors in FE , Inaccuracies in FE , GE revisions , Inaccuracies in FC