mUltimate Chopin

Op. 31, Scherzo in B♭ minor

Text Compare Notes Sources Description

Issues : Corrections in A

b. 114

composition: Op. 31, Scherzo in B♭ minor

Slur in A (→FE→EE)

No slur in FC (→GE)
..

The missing slur in FC (→GE) could have been a result of the copyist's oversight; however, according to us, it is much more likely that the slur was added in A (along with ) after the copy had been already prepared. Anyway, it is difficult to state what Chopin's motivation was at the time of writing a slur in this very place: there is nothing remarkable about this figure; it is just another one among 116 bars provided with such a shape of accompaniment written out in A. Since we adopt FC as the basis for the main text, we do not include this slur, particularly since it does not appear in the repetition of this phrase (b. 246).  

category imprint: Differences between sources; Corrections & alterations

issues: Corrections in A , Errors of FC

b. 119-123

composition: Op. 31, Scherzo in B♭ minor

..

The only reason for the deletions visible in A in b. 118, 119 and 123 was attention to the notation's layout, since it was only correctly written notes that were deleted:

  • In b. 118 Chopin wrote the first 5 quavers in the R.H. without octave sign and was faced with the following dilemma: either to continue with a significant number of ledger lines or to use an octave sign in the very end of the passage, thus blurring the graphical presentation of the hand's position. The deletion proves that both possibilities were regarded as awkward.
  • in b. 119 and 123 it was only the direction of the crotchet stem that was changed – the stems pointing downwards, compliant with the rules and generally preferred by Chopin, were replaced with stems compliant with the direction of the stems in the preceding passages (upwards). At the same time, it made it possible to lead the slur to the note heads and not to the stems, which is considered better in terms of layout.

A similar correction is also to be found in b. 251.

category imprint: Corrections & alterations; Source & stylistic information

issues: Corrections in A

b. 125

composition: Op. 31, Scherzo in B♭ minor

D1 in A (→FC→GE)

D in FE (→EE)
..

The version of FE (→EE) is a result of Chopin's proofreading, hence we give it in the main text. However, the traces of the correction do not allow us to say conclusively whether it was D1 that was being corrected or another erroneous note; therefore, the version of the remaining sources may be considered an equivalent variant.

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

issues: Corrections in A , Chopin's hesitations , Authentic corrections of FE

b. 171-173

composition: Op. 31, Scherzo in B♭ minor

No markings in A (→FE→EE)

Pedalling in FC (→GE)
..

In the main text we include the pedalling added by Chopin in b. 172 in FC (→GE). In A one can see a correction of pedalling: the  mark, initially written at the end of the phrase (b. 173), was deleted and written at the end of b. 171. 

category imprint: Differences between sources; Corrections & alterations

issues: Corrections in A , Authentic corrections of FC

b. 179-180

composition: Op. 31, Scherzo in B♭ minor

 in A (→FE)

No markings in FC (→GE)

   & L.H. slur in EE

   suggested by the editors
..

The missing  mark after , present in A (→FE) in b. 179, could be considered a common inaccuracy resulting from distraction caused by the transition into a new page of the manuscript. However, an identical situation is to be found in A in analogous b. 630; since both places are devoid of pedalling markings in FC (→GE), both  marks were probably added in A after FC had been finished. Therefore, Chopin could have considered the  marks to be clear enough while completing A. On the other hand, the  mark, added – probably by Chopin – in FE (→EE) at the end of b. 631, suggests that the decision was changed (or that the inaccurate notation, perhaps introduced in haste, was completed). Due to the above reason, in the main text we add a  mark also in b. 180. EE performed a far-reaching revision: apart from adding a , the slur placed by Chopin over the parts of both hands was doubled under the bottom stave. 

category imprint: Interpretations within context; Differences between sources

issues: EE revisions , Corrections in A , No pedal release mark , Errors of FC , Inaccuracies in A