b. 3-12
It is unclear whether the accent in A was supposed to be long or short, according to Chopin. Both FC (→GE) and FE (→EE) interpreted it as short; a short accent is also in FCI (as well as in b. 12). In the main text we also favour a short accent – both the acceleration of the tempo of the Prelude and the shortening of the rhythmic value of this note are an argument for a short, purely dynamic accent.
In FE (→EE) the accent was placed under the stave, which is a routine revision, frequently used by editors both in times of Chopin and nowadays. In this case, it does not influence the meaning of the sign; we do not include this detail in our transcriptions.
Compare the passage in the sources»
category imprint: Graphic ambiguousness; Differences between sources
issues: Long accents, Placement of markings
notation: Articulation, Accents, Hairpins