Issues : Dotted rhythms and triplets

b. 1-10

composition: Op. 28 No. 9, Prelude in E major

Notation in A

Notation in FC

Notation in FE (→EE), GE & CGS

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We reproduce the dotted rhythms against the triplets in the R.H. in accordance with the notation of A (→FC), in which the semiquavers fall exactly over the 3rd quaver of the accompanying triplets. In FE (→EE) and GE the semiquavers were arbitrarily moved beyond the 3rd note of the triplets, contrary to the convention Chopin would use all his life. See the Nocturne in C Minor, Op. 27 No. 1, b. 5-13.
The issue of separating the top voice is related to the above problem. We adopt a notation (used in A undoubtedly on purpose, yet inconsistently) in which the top note of the chord is combined with the bottom ones with a stem. FC (→GE) and FE (→EE) considered it a superfluous complication and separated the voices. Such a notation is also to be found in CGS.

category imprint: Differences between sources

issues: GE revisions , Dotted rhythms and triplets , FE revisions

b. 8

composition: Op. 28 No. 9, Prelude in E major

Notation in A

Notation in FC, FEJ & FES

Notation in FE

Notation in GE & EE

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Like in the remaining places in which the dotted rhythm and a triplet are juxtaposed, in the main text we give the notation of A. FC reproduced it inaccurately, yet it kept the synchronization of semiquavers; in turn, the notation of the editions is contrary to the convention used by Chopin. Exceptionally in this bar, in FE b, the last semiquaver, comes into contact with the bottom-voice a (probably due to lack of space), which suggests that they are to be played simultaneously, and moreover, in two teaching copies, on the 2nd, 3rd and 4th beats, we can see added dashes indicating a simultaneous performance of the semiquaver with the last quaver of the triplet. Consequently, the notation of the last three beats of that bar is equivalent to the notation of FC in those copies.

category imprint: Differences between sources; Source & stylistic information

issues: Annotations in teaching copies , Annotations in FES , Annotations in FEJ , Dotted rhythms and triplets