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WN 37, Lento con gran espressione

Text Compare Notes Sources Description

Issues : Scope of dynamic hairpins

b. 25-26

composition: WN 37, Lento con gran espressione

No signs in A1

  in CJ & CK (→CB)

 &  in CJ & CK, possible interpretation

in EL
..

The  hairpin in b. 25 was conveyed in the sources in rare accord, although one may ponder whether the mark is supposed to reach the end of the bar or the g1 crotchet only. In turn, the second mark in b. 26 in the copies is short enough to be a long accent too, which should then be referred to the beginning of the triplet. The absence of the mark in EL may be Kolberg's oversight or revision, had he considered that due to the  at the beginning of the bar, another mark was unnecessary. 

category imprint: Graphic ambiguousness; Differences between sources

issues: Long accents , Scope of dynamic hairpins

b. 29-30

composition: WN 37, Lento con gran espressione

No marks in A1

& > in CJ & CK

& > in CB

i > in EL
..

In CJ and CK the accent in b. 30 is clearly shorter than the mark in b. 29, hence we interpret them as a short and long accent, respectively. It is compliant with the harmonic and rhythmic context of the accented notes – e2 in b. 29 creates a tense delay, whereas d2 in b. 30 is merely a dance syncopation. In CB and EL the mark in b. 29 was reproduced as a diminuendo hairpin; moreover, EL extended it so that it fills the entire 2nd half of the bar (cf. b. 23-24).

category imprint: Graphic ambiguousness; Differences between sources

issues: Long accents , Scope of dynamic hairpins , Balakirev's revisions , Revisions in EL

b. 31

composition: WN 37, Lento con gran espressione

No sign in A1 & CB

 in CJ & CK

in EL
..

In the main text we give the concordant version of CJ and CK. The mark moved to the beginning of the bar is probably Kolberg's revision in the Stichvorlage for EL, which could be a correct guess of Chopin's intention in this case. The overlooked hairpin is most probably Balakirev's mistake. 

category imprint: Differences between sources; Corrections & alterations

issues: Scope of dynamic hairpins

b. 48

composition: WN 37, Lento con gran espressione

No sign in A1

in CJ & CK

in CB

in EL
..

We keep the notation of CJ and CK. The moved or prolonged  hairpin is probably a result of Balakirev's revision in CB, and in the case of EL of Kolberg, Szulc or the engraver.

category imprint: Differences between sources

issues: Scope of dynamic hairpins , Balakirev's revisions

b. 52

composition: WN 37, Lento con gran espressione

No sign in A1

in CJ & CK

in CB & EL
..

category imprint: Differences between sources

issues: Scope of dynamic hairpins