mUltimate Chopin

Op. 28 No. 16, Prelude in B♭ minor

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Pedalling

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. 2-3

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

..

In A one can see crossed-out pedalling markings, according to which the pedal should be changed every half bar – 3 times  .

category imprint: Corrections & alterations; Source & stylistic information

issues: Corrections in A , Deletions in A

b. 18-21

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

   (4 bars) in A (→FE)

 in FC & EE

No markings in GE

Our suggestion
..

It cannot be ruled out that Chopin indeed envisioned the entire four-bar section being performed with one pedal, in spite of the harmonic change in b. 21. It would emphasize the unifying function of the ostinato, quartal mixture in the bass. On the other hand, it is that very constant bass motif that could have confused Chopin, who, while adding pedalling markings (in haste? – cf. the erroneous pedalling markings in the Prelude No. 19 in E Major, b. 26-27), could have been following the bass line only. Due to the above reason, in the main text we suggest a possible pedal change at the beginning of b. 21.
In FC and EE there is no  following  in b. 18 at all, while GE overlooked also the  mark, as a result of which b. 18-22 are devoid of pedalling markings.  

category imprint: Differences between sources; Editorial revisions

issues: Errors in GE , Errors of FC

b. 20-21

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

..

Proposed additions concerning the pedalling – see b. 18-21.

category imprint: Editorial revisions

b. 22-23

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

in bar 22 in A (→FE→EE)

in bar 23 in FC (→GE)
..

In FC (→GE) Fontana confused b. 22 with b. 23 and placed the  mark a bar too late (in A the  mark in b. 22 falls at the beginning of the line, whereas in FC it is b. 23, identical in the L.H. part, that opens the line).

category imprint: Differences between sources

issues: Errors of FC