mUltimate Chopin

Op. 31, Scherzo in B♭ minor

Text Compare Notes Sources Description

Issues : Chopin's hesitations

b. 66

composition: Op. 31, Scherzo in B♭ minor

c1 in A

c1 & c1, possible interpretation of A

c1 in  FC (→GE) & FE (→EE)
..

The main text is a version introduced by Chopin in FC (→GE) and in the proofreading of FE (→EE). In the L.H. part in A one can see traces of numerous corrections in this bar; however, both a possible original version (like in the previous bar) and the final one were then changed by Chopin in FC and FE, respectively. According to us, the notation of A may also denote a version that we give as a possible interpretation should we assume that the restoration of c1 was overlooked.

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

issues: Corrections in A , Chopin's hesitations , Errors resulting from corrections , Authentic corrections of FE , Authentic corrections of FC

b. 125

composition: Op. 31, Scherzo in B♭ minor

D1 in A (→FC→GE)

D in FE (→EE)
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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. 497

composition: Op. 31, Scherzo in B♭ minor

..

In the main text we add a cautionary  before f2. In analogous b. 493 the accidental is present in A and all the remaining sources. Moreover, Chopin probably hesitated in that respect, since the crossing-out visible there probably concerns the  before that note, which means that it must have been entered twice.

category imprint: Differences between sources; Editorial revisions; Source & stylistic information

issues: Chopin's hesitations , GE revisions , Cautionary accidentals , Deletions in A

b. 538-540

composition: Op. 31, Scherzo in B♭ minor

Slur &  in A, probable interpretation

5 accents in FC (→GE)

in FE (→EE)

Accents & , our alternative suggestion
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In the main text we give 5 accents written by Chopin in FC, our principal source. The slur present in A was not reproduced both in FC and FE; Chopin also did not introduce it in any of them, although he was adding indications in this place in both of them. In turn, the  hairpin is preserved in FE and can be considered a fully-fledged variant. In turn, taking into account the fact that Chopin could have added it in A already after having proofread FC, we suggest it also as a variant completion of the version of FC.

category imprint: Differences between sources; Corrections & alterations

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

b. 540

composition: Op. 31, Scherzo in B♭ minor

No marking in A (→FC→GE)

in FE (→EE)

(), our variant suggestion
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Chopin initially wrote a  in FC and then deleted it, probably replacing it with an accent. However, in the proofreading of FE, which must have been performed later, he used that indication again. Since we generally draw the Scherzo's performance indications from FC, which is most carefully developed by Chopin in this regard, we do not include that  in the main text. However, taking into account the fact that Chopin would frequently use a combination of  and an accent, we consider it to be possible to add that indication (in a variant form) to the accents adopted in the main text. 

category imprint: Differences between sources; Corrections & alterations

issues: Chopin's hesitations