mUltimate Chopin

Op. 31, Scherzo in B♭ minor

Text Compare Notes Sources Description

Issues : GE revisions

b. 73-74

composition: Op. 31, Scherzo in B♭ minor

Tied d2 in A & GE2

Tied e2 in FC (→GE1), FE (→EE) & GE3
..

In A the short curved line under the bars is a tie of d2 in the bottom voice (cf., e.g. the tie in b. 77-78). However, the notation may be misleading, since the tie is placed over the notes, contrary to the rule according to which the ties of the bottom voice should be placed under the notes (however, Chopin would generally not follow that rule); moreover, the tie is placed on the bar line (in a way typical of Chopin), almost between the e2 crotchets. Consequently, it is the e2 in the top voice that is tied both in FC (→GE1) and FE (→EE). In analog. b. 205-206 the notation of A, although generally the same, is less misleading, as a result of which Fontana and the engraver of FE reproduced it correctly. GE2 introduced the correct text, most probably under the influence of the analogous place described above, yet GE3 returned to the erroneous version of FC (→GE1).   

category imprint: Graphic ambiguousness; Differences between sources

issues: GE revisions , Inaccuracies in A

b. 73

composition: Op. 31, Scherzo in B♭ minor

Small crotchet with slur in A (→FE)

Acciaccatura without slur in FC (→GE1)

Small quaver with slur in EE

Acciaccatura with slur in GE2 (→GE3)
..

The only undoubtedly authentic notation is the notation of A (→FE). According to us, the use of a long grace note does not influence the performance: it is most likely that it is to be performed as a short, unaccented grace note; if we take into account the slur, we may assume that it is simply an arpeggio whose bottom note does not need to be held with hand. The notation of FC may also be authentic; Chopin could have changed therein the type of the grace note used (the missing slur is almost certainly an oversight). After adding the slur, the notation with a slashed quaver (used in GE2 (→GE3) and clear in terms of performance) may be considered a rightful alternative version. The change introduced in EE is probably arbitrary.

category imprint: Differences between sources

issues: EE revisions , Inaccuracies in FE , GE revisions , Inaccuracies in FC

b. 77-80

composition: Op. 31, Scherzo in B♭ minor

No dashes in A (→FE→EE) & GE1

Dashes in FC & GE2 (→GE3)
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In the main text we indicate the range of cresc. after FC and GE2 (→GE3).

category imprint: Differences between sources

issues: Inaccuracies in GE , GE revisions , Authentic corrections of FC

b. 81-82

composition: Op. 31, Scherzo in B♭ minor

No marking in A (→FE→EE)

 in FC (→GE1)

 in GE2 (→GE3)
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In the main text we give the  mark written by Chopin in FC (→GE1). In subsequent GE the mark was arbitrarily moved and shortened.

category imprint: Differences between sources

issues: GE revisions , Authentic corrections of FC

b. 87-88

composition: Op. 31, Scherzo in B♭ minor

Slurs in A (→FC→GE1, →FE→EE) and GE3

Slur in GE2
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In the main text we give the slurring written by Chopin in A (→FC→GE1, →FE→EE). The continuous slur in GE2 results from the comparison with the authentic slurring in analogous bars 219-220 and 670-671. In the editors' such a uniformity is not justified in this context.

category imprint: Differences between sources

issues: GE revisions