mUltimate Chopin

WN 37, Lento con gran espressione

Text Compare Notes Sources Description

Issues : Errors of JC

b. 32

composition: WN 37, Lento con gran espressione

Rhythm in A1

Rhythm in CJ

Rhythm in CK (→CB) & EL
..

When interpreted literally, the rhythm written down in CJ suggests a very unnatural combination of four crotchets in the R.H. and five in the L.H. Taking into account the inaccurate alignment between the L.H. and the R.H. (cf., e.g. 2 previous bars), in the 2nd half of the bar we get two crotchets in the R.H. against three in the L.H. While such polymeter is present in an earlier version of A1 (in the previous bars), in [A2] Chopin replaced it with simpler, regular rhythmic divisions. Such a change in the opposite direction, not marked in any way, is inconceivable here, hence we consider this notation to be Ludwika's mistake.

category imprint: Interpretations within context; Differences between sources

issues: Errors of JC , Inaccuracies in JC

b. 45

composition: WN 37, Lento con gran espressione

..

CJ and CB are lacking in the fermata; they are probably oversights.

category imprint: Differences between sources

issues: Errors of JC

b. 48

composition: WN 37, Lento con gran espressione

2 slurs in CK
..

Both slurs in this bar were written only by Kolberg in his copy. However, there is no reason to assume that they could be inauthentic, hence we include them in the main text, considering their absence in CJ to be an oversight of the copyist.

category imprint: Differences between sources

issues: Errors of JC

b. 52

composition: WN 37, Lento con gran espressione

..

Before the first semiquaver on the 4th beat, CJ has erroneously a  (b2) instead of  (b2).

category imprint: Interpretations within context; Differences between sources

issues: Errors of JC

b. 55

composition: WN 37, Lento con gran espressione

No slurs in A1, CJ & EL

Slur in CK

Slurs in CB
..

The slur of CK raises serious doubts in terms of both its range and placement – nowhere else does the slur encompass two such L.H. figures or is placed under the notes. Therefore, it is probably an inaccuracy or a mistake; it may have had something to do with a slur concerning only one of the figures or emphasising the bass sequence: c-A-G. Since it is absent in the principal source – CJ – in the main text we do not include this questionable mark. The slurs of CB are part of a comprehensive revision – see b. 6-19. 

category imprint: Interpretations within context; Differences between sources

issues: Errors of JC , Balakirev's revisions , Errors in CK , Inaccuracies in CK