mUltimate Chopin

Op. 28 No. 8, Prelude in F♯ minor

Text Compare Notes Sources Description

Issues : Omissions to cancel alteration

b. 21

composition: Op. 28 No. 8, Prelude in F♯ minor

..

The fourth demisemiquaver of the 3rd group and the 3rd note of the 4th group should be interpreted in A (→FC→GE) as g2, since there are no accidentals next to them, and the note at this pitch in the 2nd group is provided with a . Both the harmonic context and the rule of the figurations' structure applied in a vast majority of the cases (cf. b. 4 and 13) are strong arguments in favour of the assumption that Chopin overlooked the  restoring g2. The accidental was added in FE (→EE). 

category imprint: Interpretations within context; Differences between sources

issues: Omissions to cancel alteration , Errors of A , FE revisions , Errors repeated in GE

b. 23

composition: Op. 28 No. 8, Prelude in F♯ minor

d3 in A (→FC→GE1), literal reading

d3 in FE (→EE) & GE2 (→GE3)

Our variant suggestion
..

In A (→FC→GE1) there is no accidental before the 4th demisemiquaver in the 3rd group, as a result of which it is to be interpreted as a d3. In FE (→EE), as well as in GE2 (→GE3), a  was added, thus lowering it to d3. In this case, Fontana's addition seems arguable, since there is a number of source and music arguments for d3: 

  • the crossings-out and corrections visible in the adjacent bars prove that Chopin controlled the accidentals in A, cf. b. 22 and 24;
  • the use of d1 and d2 after the C minor chord in b. 24 was marked by Chopin with naturals both in the R.H., where this accidental is necessary, and in the L.H., where it is only of a cautionary nature;
  • Chopin used a similar combination of notes enclosing a major chord in b. 24 (a1 and c2 next to the G major chord).

However, since we cannot rule out an accidental oversight of a natural by Chopin in the discussed place (and hence the accuracy of Fontana's revision in FE), in the main text we include both possibilities in a variant form, giving preference to the literally interpreted version of A featuring a d3.

category imprint: Interpretations within context; Differences between sources; Editorial revisions

issues: Omissions to cancel alteration , GE revisions , FE revisions