The ambiguous abbreviation used in FCI – leg. – could generally be explained as leggiero; however, if that were the case, it is the abbreviation legg. that would be more rational. Therefore, it cannot be ruled out that it was supposed to be legato. (Cf. a similar problem in Lento con gran espressione WN37, b. 6-7.) The change of the grammar form of the indication in EE – which has no influence on its musical meaning – could have been inspired by the uncertainty about the linguistic correctness of the term used by Chopin. Indeed, the then prevailing form of that adverb was leggermente, alternatively, leggiermente. However, as it does not appear in any of the sources, we keep the Chopinesque indication, which, after all, is perfectly clear in terms of its meaning. Cf. a similar situation in the 3rd mov. of the Concerto in F Minor, Op. 21, b. 81 and 317.
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category imprint: Differences between sources
issues: EE revisions
notation: Verbal indications