mUltimate Chopin

Op. 28 No. 1, Prelude in C major

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b. 1

composition: Op. 28 No. 1, Prelude in C major

Title & dedica­tion in A

FC

FE

GE

EE1

EE1a & EE2
..

In the main text we give the title and the dedication in accordance with FE, which reproduced the title as found in A and took into account Chopin's wish expressed in a letter to Fontana, i.e. Chopin wanted the Preludes to be dedicated to C. Pleyel and not J. C. Kessler. However, it remains unclear why the change of dedication was not considered in GE, despite it having been written in FC. The wording of the title and the dedication in English as well as calling the Preludes “grand” and adding the information “through all keys” are all arbitrary decisions of EE.

category imprint: Differences between sources; Corrections & alterations

issues: Dedications

b. 1

composition: Op. 28 No. 1, Prelude in C major

in A (→FC,FE →EE)

in GE
..

It is difficult to explain the origin of the version of GE –  in FC is clear, which practically excludes misinterpretation; moreover, there is no reason why the engraver or reviser would have needed to change that indication (Chopin did not participate in the creation of GE). Chopin would generally use mezza voce to determine the grade of dynamics between   and , usually written down as m.v. The uncommon indication  was written in A in a similar manner, i.e. as , which we reproduce only in the graphical transcription (the version "transcription"). 

category imprint: Differences between sources

issues: GE revisions

b. 1

composition: Op. 28 No. 1, Prelude in C major

..

category imprint: Differences between sources; Source & stylistic information

issues: Errors in FE , FE revisions

b. 17-20

composition: Op. 28 No. 1, Prelude in C major

stretto - - - in A (→FE→EE)

No indication in FC (→GE)
..

The absence of the indication stretto - - - is almost certainly an oversight by the copyist in FC (→GE). See also bar 21 and 22-23.

category imprint: Differences between sources

issues: Errors of FC

b. 21

composition: Op. 28 No. 1, Prelude in C major

Dashes after cresc. & stretto in A (→FE→EE)

Dashes after cresc. in FC (→GE)

No dashes – our alternative suggestion
..

Taking into consideration the fact that the melodic climax of the phrase that begins in b. 9 occurs in b. 21, one can ponder whether Chopin did not lead the dashes marking the range of cresc. and stretto one bar too far. The possible mistake could have been caused by the layout – in A b. 21 closes the line, which suggests an end of a certain section or process. On the available recordings of the Prelude, the vast majority of pianists do not continue either crescendo or stretto in b. 21. In the main text we leave the version of A (→FE→EE), since it is irrefutable, as far as the sources are concerned; moreover, according to us, stylistic criteria concerning performance indications, even supported by statistically prevailing performance practice, do not authorize us to directly intervene in the source text.  

category imprint: Source & stylistic information

issues: Inaccuracies in A