mUltimate Chopin

Op. 28 No. 11, Prelude in B major

Text Compare Notes Sources Description

Issues : Errors of FC

b. 20-21

composition: Op. 28 No. 11, Prelude in B major

Separate slurs in A (→FE), contextual interpretation & EE

Overlapping slurs in A, literal reading

Continuous slur in FC (→GE)
..

The slurs of A between b. 20 and 21 may be questionable – when interpreted literally, the latter begins before the bar line, which could be interpreted as two slurs coinciding on the f2 quaver. However, according to us, it is an inaccuracy that is more likely – cf., e.g. . In FC (→GE) Fontana assumed – wrongly, according to us – that Chopin wanted to combine both slurs here. In FE the slurs are ambiguous; however, it is not related to the notation of A, since in that edition continuation is suggested by the ending of the first slur (in b. 20, at the end of the line), which is not confirmed by the new slur in b. 21.

category imprint: Graphic ambiguousness; Differences between sources

issues: EE revisions , Inaccuracies in FE , Inaccurate slurs in A , Errors of FC

b. 21

composition: Op. 28 No. 11, Prelude in B major

Long, tied grace note in A

Short, not tied grace note in FC (→GE)

, no grace note in FE (→EE1)

 & grace note in EE2
..

We reproduce the grace note and the curved lines in principle after the notation of A, in which, however, the slur running from the grace note to the f2 minim is led under the notes and overlaps with the tie of the grace note, pointing downwards. It confused the interpreters of A:

  • in FC (→GE) the copyist omitted both slur and tie and provided the grace note with a conventional form of a slashed quaver, which was typical of him;
  • the engraver of FE (→EE1) combined the grace note and the overlapping slur and tie in one mark – .

EE2 supplemented the FE version with a grace note taken from GE1.

category imprint: Differences between sources

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

b. 21

composition: Op. 28 No. 11, Prelude in B major

..

The slur combining the grace note with the f2 minim in A was omitted in all the remaining sources. See the note below.

category imprint: Differences between sources

issues: Errors in FE , Errors of FC

b. 25-27

composition: Op. 28 No. 11, Prelude in B major

Separate slurs in A, literal reading

Continuous slur in A (possible interpretation→FE→EE)

No slur in bars 26-27 in FC (→GE)
..

As with the R.H. part, the issue concerning continuation of the L.H. slur is unclear in A due to the transition to a new line – the slur in b. 25 (at the end of the line) may suggest continuation, yet not due to its length, but due to the absence of the final curve; however, the slur in b. 26 does not confirm it. Due to the reasons discussed in the indicated note on the R.H. slur, we assume divided slurs to be more likely, and this is the version we suggest in the main text.

category imprint: Graphic ambiguousness; Differences between sources

issues: Inaccurate slurs in A , Embracing slurs , Errors of FC , Uncertain slur continuation