mUltimate Chopin

Op. 31, Scherzo in B♭ minor

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b. 508-515

composition: Op. 31, Scherzo in B♭ minor

4 six-note slurs in A (contextual interpretation→FE→EE)

2 five-note slurs & 1 longer in FC

3 five-note slurs & 1 longer in GE1

4 five-note slurs in GE2 (→GE3)
..

The slur of A in b. 508 indicates the e2 minim in the next bar clearly enough for it to be considered a 6-note slur, according to us. This is how it was interpreted in FE (→EE). However, we consider a similar slur in FC to be shorter, encompassing 5 notes, since the minim starting in b. 509 is written at quite a distance from the bar line and does not seem to be related to that slur. The 5-note slur in GE corresponds to that interpretation. The 3 remaining slurs in A (b. 510-511, 512-513 and 514-515) undoubtedly encompass 6 notes, which was also correctly reproduced in GE (→EE), whereas in FC – inaccurately and with mistake (the missing slur in b. 512-513). GE1 repeated the notation of FC, adding the overlooked slur (anyway, the addition is careless, since when interpreted literally, the slur begins from the tied e2 crotchet at the beginning of the bar). GE2 (→GE3) eventually unified the slurs, so that all encompass quavers only.

category imprint: Graphic ambiguousness; Differences between sources

issues: Inaccuracies in GE , Inaccurate slurs in A , GE revisions , Errors of FC , Inaccuracies in FC

b. 511-515

composition: Op. 31, Scherzo in B♭ minor

Slur in bar 511 in A (→FE)

No slurs in FC (→GE1)

Slurs in bars 511-512 in EE

Slurs in bars 511-515 in GE2 (→GE3)
..

The overlooked slurs are almost certainly an inaccuracy of notation, both in A (→EE) and FC (→GE1). The slur added in b. 512 (only!) in EE is probably a mistake; just like in FE, the engraver placed slurs in the entire line; however, he did not notice that in FE the line ends a bar earlier than in EE. In the main text we complete the slurring of A; such a procedure was performed also in GE2 (→GE3).

category imprint: Differences between sources

issues: EE revisions , GE revisions , Errors of A , Errors of FC

b. 516-517

composition: Op. 31, Scherzo in B♭ minor

..

All cautionary sharps and naturals in these bars were added by us. Some of them – both in b. 516 and sharps of g2 (grace note) and f3 – were added already in GE1. All the remaining ones as well as the second  of g2 (the last quaver) were added in GE2 (→GE3).

category imprint: Differences between sources; Editorial revisions

issues: GE revisions

b. 521

composition: Op. 31, Scherzo in B♭ minor

in A & GE

Shorter  in FC

in bar 521 in FE (→EE)

Long accent in FED
..

According to us, the placement of the  hairpin under the L.H. chords in A was forced by lack of place over them: due to the notation of the topmost notes of the chords on the top stave, the mark must have been situated in a place already occupied by the R.H. slur and rests. It is confirmed by a teaching entry in FED, which we thus consider to be the most accurate expression of Chopin's intention. The hairpin of A was reproduced inaccurately both in FC and FE. In turn, the version of GE is close enough to the notation of A to be considered equivalent.

category imprint: Interpretations within context; Differences between sources

issues: Annotations in teaching copies , Annotations in FED , Inaccuracies in GE , Inaccuracies in FE , Scope of dynamic hairpins , Inaccuracies in FC

b. 521-522

composition: Op. 31, Scherzo in B♭ minor

..

A (→FC→GE1) includes a cautionary  before the lowest note of the 1st chord, a, in both bars. FE (→EE) and GE2 (→GE3) omitted that  in b. 522. In the main text we do not include any of those unjustified accidentals.

category imprint: Differences between sources; Editorial revisions

issues: GE revisions , Cautionary accidentals , FE revisions