mUltimate Chopin

Op. 28 No. 16, Prelude in B♭ minor

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b.

composition: Op. 28 No. 16, Prelude in B♭ minor

a3-b3-a3 in A (→FC,FE), contextual interpretation & EE

a3-b3-a3 in GE, contextual interpretation
..

In A (→FC,FE) there are no accidentals before the 13th and the 15th semiquavers. As the previous accidentals (in this case the  before a2) were then often considered to alter also the notes at the same pitch under an octave sign, it was necessary to determine whether the 4th group of semiquavers contains a3 or a3. The melodic and harmonic context as well as a comparison with similar b. 23 indicate that it should be a3 (twice), hence we add a  before the 13th semiquaver, as it was performed in EE. The version of GE, acceptable in terms of sound, is almost certainly inauthentic, since it is difficult to assume that Chopin would not have marked the return of a3 two notes apart.

category imprint:

b. 1

composition: Op. 28 No. 16, Prelude in B♭ minor

 in A (→FC→GE)

 in FE (→EE)
..

The change of time signature in FE probably resulted from the engraver's inattention. In Chopin's pieces, it was common that engravers did not differentiate between  and , see the Prelude No. 14 in E Minor.

category imprint: Differences between sources

issues: Errors in FE , 4/4 or 2/2

b. 1

composition: Op. 28 No. 16, Prelude in B♭ minor

6 accents in A (→FE)

No marks in FC (→GE)

6 vertical accents in EE
..

In this bar Fontana overlooked all performance indications except the slur, i.e. , pedalling markings, accents and the staccato dot in the bass.
The change of font for accents in EE was an arbitrary decision typical of that edition. 

category imprint: Differences between sources

issues: Errors of FC

b. 1

composition: Op. 28 No. 16, Prelude in B♭ minor

Pedalling in A (→FE→EE)

No markings in FC (→GE)
..

Fontana overlooked the pedalling markings (as well as almost all performance indications in this bar).

category imprint: Differences between sources

issues: Errors of FC

b. 1

composition: Op. 28 No. 16, Prelude in B♭ minor

Staccato in A (→FE)

No mark in FC (→GE) & EE
..

The missing staccato dot is an oversight of the copyist and the engraver of EE.

category imprint: Differences between sources

issues: Errors in EE , Errors of FC