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Slur in bars 39-41 in AI |
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Slur in bars 40-41 in AF |
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Slur in bars 39-42 in GE |
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Our alternative suggestion |
The slurring of these bars (and analogous b. 131-133) is problematic due to a clear contradiction between the fragmentary notation of AF and the earlier and generally complete version of AI and GE. Moreover, it is unclear how to understand the L.H. slur of FE in b. 132-133 (most probably proofread by Chopin) in this context. We have taken into account the following observations:
- the slurs in AI and GE are almost identical, one over the parts of each hand. However, this slurring, clear and complete, does not show the movement of particular voices in this quasi-polyphonic texture. It is particularly the transitions of one of the voices from one stave to another in b. 38-39 and 40-41 that remain a matter of conjecture.
- The slurring of AF in the more accurately written down b. 131-133 points to both aforementioned graphically unobvious places, in which the notation of the tenor voice passes from one stave to the other. However, this voice is devoid of the continuous slur with which Chopin would emphasise the important thematic motif in the alto voice.
- The slur introduced at the proofreading stage in FE in b. 132-133 seems to be closer to the original concept. However, the version of EE, which almost certainly features a slur repeated after the proof copy of FE, shows that Chopin did not change the slur of AF back then, but its undoubtedly erroneous form, performed by the engraver of FE. Therefore, it was an ad hoc correction of a mistake, on the basis of which it is difficult to conclude what the composer's final intention was.
Just like in the entire preceding fragment (from b. 33), in the main text we give the slurs of AF, whereby in b. 39-41 we add the alto voice slur written in b. 131-133. Alternatively, we suggest a slur binding the elements of all source versions whose authenticity is unequivocal and that can be combined in a way that would make sense.
Compare the passage in the sources »
category imprint: Differences between sources; Editorial revisions
issues: Errors in FE
notation: Slurs