mUltimate Chopin

Op. 28 No. 21, Prelude in B♭ major

Text Compare Notes Sources Description

Issues : Errors in FE

b. 1

composition: Op. 28 No. 21, Prelude in B♭ major

Staccato dot in A (→FC)

No mark in FE (→EE) & GE
..

In the main text we include the staccato dot placed in A quite high above the 1st quaver; perhaps this is the reason it was overlooked in FE (→EE). On the basis of the preserved photograph, it is difficult to conclude whether the dot was copied in FC. According to us, it is likely that it is between the ledger lines, poorly legible due to the beam in b. 41, visible through the other page.

category imprint: Graphic ambiguousness; Differences between sources

issues: Errors in FE , Errors in GE

b. 6

composition: Op. 28 No. 21, Prelude in B♭ major

..

In FE the  before the 2nd quaver is misplaced: it should be before the bottom note (g), not the top one (e1). The mistake possibly stemmed from the graphical similarity between b. 5 and 6. The correct accidental was added in FES, while FC (→GE) and EE not only added the right flat, but also removed the wrong one.

category imprint: Differences between sources

issues: EE revisions , Errors in FE , Fontana's revisions

b. 12

composition: Op. 28 No. 21, Prelude in B♭ major

..

In the main text we give a  raising f1 to f1 after A (→FC→GE). The accidental is absent in FE, which can almost certainly be attributed to the distraction of the engraver of FE, who forgot to insert a  in the place between the notes left especially for this purpose. Chopin added a  in FED; it was also added in EE. 

category imprint: Interpretations within context; Differences between sources

issues: Annotations in teaching copies , EE revisions , Errors in FE , Annotations in FED

b. 12-13

composition: Op. 28 No. 21, Prelude in B♭ major

   in A (→FC→GE)

No markings in FE (→EE)
..

The pedalling markings, deviating from the scheme of the previous bars, were intended by Chopin, which is evidenced by the mark at the end of b. 12 having been crossed out. However, it cannot be ruled out that the uncommon placement of the markings could have been the reason they were overlooked by the engraver of FE, who, having his doubts to the correctness of the notation of A, preferred to avoid a possible mistake.

category imprint: Differences between sources

issues: Errors in FE

b. 13

composition: Op. 28 No. 21, Prelude in B♭ major

Staccato dot in A

No mark in remaining sources
..

In the main text we include the staccato dot written in A and omitted – almost certainly due to an oversight of the copyist and the engraver of FE – in all the remaining sources. See also b. 17.

category imprint: Differences between sources

issues: Errors in FE , Errors of FC