mUltimate Chopin

Op. 28 No. 9, Prelude in E major

Text Compare Notes Sources Description

Issues : FE revisions

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. 7

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

F in A (→FC), literal reading

F in FE (→EE), GE & CGS
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When interpreted literally, the chord on the 3rd beat of the bar in A (→FC) consists of the following notes: F1-F-b-d1-f1, which, in turn, results in a G major chord (F major), which could be a part of this harmonic sequence. However, Chopin would generally avoid such an unnatural orthography; therefore, he most probably overlooked here the naturals lowering all f notes to f. They were added both in FE (→EE) and GE, and the composer did not question the printed naturals in any of the three teaching copies containing annotations coming from him.

category imprint: Interpretations within context; Differences between sources

issues: GE revisions , Omission of current key accidentals , Errors of A , FE revisions

b. 12

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

No  in A (→FC→GE)

 in FE (→EE) & CGS
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Chopin would often leave the last  mark without the closing  asterisk – cf., e.g. the Prelude No. 7 in A Major. Therefore, the mark added in FE, most probably by Fontana, almost certainly does not correspond to Chopin's intention. The presence of a  in CGS is one of many details pointing to FE being the basis of that copy.

category imprint: Differences between sources

issues: FE revisions , No pedal release mark