Op. 50 No. 3, Mazurka in C♯ minor

  b. 158-161

		cresc. - - in bar 161 in AF (→FE→EE)
		cresc. - - in bar 158 in GE

In both similarly structured eight-bar sections (b. 157-164 and 165-172) AF (→FE→EE) and [AG] (→GE), respectively, consistently convey different versions of dynamic indications. The version of AF contains more indications and is more detailed, as a result of which it seems to be more elaborate. However, it does not have to mean that it is later or final. In GE the dynamics of this fragment are considered in a more comprehensive way; in perspective – two uninterrupted waves of crescendi actually encompass the entire eight-bar sections and end with clearly indicated climaxes ( in b. 165 and  in b. 173). The well-known Chopinesque tendency to simplify complex issues, which is also reflected in the notation, allows us to assume that it is the simpler version of GE that could have been later.

In spite of that, we decided to adopt the version of AF as the main text:

• even if the markings of [AG] (→GE) are later, it does not mean that Chopin considered the indications of AF to be wrong or superfluous;
• there are no discrepancies between both sets; it is even possible that both versions describe the same performance from different perspectives;
• the version of AF provides more information, including implicitly the information contained in the markings of GE;
• the diversity of the markings – a hairpin and a verbal indication crescendo as well as two  marks – emphasises important structural elements of these progressions, thus facilitating their understanding and interpretation:
  • each of the two-bar motifs in the first part of the eight-bar section is provided with a  mark leading to the local climax;
  • both  marks emphasise the chromatic sequence of the bass, marking the direction of the modulation and being the basis of the further one-bar-element progression;
  • cresc. - - require the more complex progression in the 2nd half of each eight-bar section to be performed smoothly.

In order not to miss any significant indication, in the main text we add a mark ( ) in b. 165, drawn from GE.

Compare the passage in the sources »

category imprint: Differences between sources; Corrections & alterations

notation: Verbal indications

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