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c in sources |
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e |
There are indications that the c note, present in all sources, could have been erroneously inserted instead of e
:
- in combination with the next bar, parallel fifths in the outer voices occur: c-g2 and c-g2,
- no pedalling in b. 9-12 suggests that Chopin expected here the same harmonic course as in b. 1-4,
- another possibility is a lapsus calami of Chopin consisting in the anticipation of the 1st note of the next bar (cf. the commentary on the Prelude in F
Major, Op. 28 No. 13, b. 32).
The above statements, however, do not tip the balance in favour of the composer's mistake:
- parallel fifths in outer voices, unquestionable in terms of sources, can be found in Chopin's oeuvre, especially when the chords share a common note and when at least one is dissonant, e.g. in the Prelude No. 4 in E Minor, b. 3-4 or in the Scherzo in E Major, Op. 54, b. 55-56,
- Chopin committed a few inaccuracies in the pedalling markings in this Prelude in A, even a few evident mistakes, which could mean that it was written down hastily; therefore, it undermines the arguments based on it.
Therefore, in the main text we keep c, which is present in the sources; we suggest the version with e, assuming Chopin's mistake, as an acceptable variant.
Compare the passage in the sources »
category imprint: Interpretations within context; Editorial revisions
issues: Terzverschreibung error
notation: Pitch