mUltimate Chopin

Op. 50 No. 3, Mazurka in C♯ minor

Text Compare Notes Sources Description

Issues : Long accents

b. 173

composition: Op. 50 No. 3, Mazurka in C♯ minor

Long accent in AI

Long accent in AF, contextual interpretation

Short accent in FE (→EE)

Short accent in GE
..

In AF the accent in this bar is shorter than in the next ones. A comparison with AI shows that it is almost certainly an inaccuracy, which, however, could have influenced the interpretation of this and next marks in FE (→EE). GE also features a short accent, which does not have to mean that the notation of [AG] was also ambiguous. The issue of placement of this mark, between the staves, is slightly more difficult, and we discuss it in more detail in the next bars. In this bar we place the mark in the main text in the middle, in accordance with AI.

category imprint: Graphic ambiguousness; Differences between sources

issues: Long accents , Placement of markings

b. 174-176

composition: Op. 50 No. 3, Mazurka in C♯ minor

Long accents in AI & AF

Short accents in FE (→EE)

Short accents in GE

Long accents suggested by the editors
..

In both preserved autographs the accents are clearly closer to the bottom stave. According to us, it does not mean that it is only the two bottom notes of the chords performed by the L.H. that should be accented, which could have attenuated this dramatic culmination in  dynamics. (Chopin might have wanted to emphasise g1, to which the bass voice in the preceding progression was led.) Due to the same reason, it is difficult to assume that the accents under the R.H. part visible in GE could correspond to Chopin's intention; however, it is certain that the notation of [AG] did not suggest that the L.H. be accented. In this situation, in the main text we place the accents in the middle, in accordance with FE (→EE).

AI and AF feature long accents, which was not taken into account in any of the editions.

category imprint: Graphic ambiguousness; Differences between sources; Editorial revisions

issues: Long accents , Placement of markings

b. 177

composition: Op. 50 No. 3, Mazurka in C♯ minor

Accent in AI & AF (literal reading)

Accent in AI & AF (contextual interpretation→FE→EE)

> in GE1

> above  in GE2
..

In both autographs the accent in this bar is shorter than the previous ones, although – particularly in AI – it is not entirely certain whether the difference is to be regarded as significant. Taking into account the different rhythmic value of the chord, we assume that the accent's length is correlated with it. Just like in the previous bars, the accent in AI and AF is closer to the L.H. part, which, according to us, is an inaccuracy. In the main text we reproduce the combined > marks, typical of Chopin, after GE1; the marks are an appropriate ending of the preceding crescendo. The separate accent in GE2 must be a revision.

category imprint: Graphic ambiguousness; Differences between sources; Editorial revisions

issues: Long accents , GE revisions