mUltimate Chopin

Op. 28 No. 12, Prelude in G♯ minor

Text Compare Notes Sources Description

Issues : GE revisions

b. 25-27

composition: Op. 28 No. 12, Prelude in G♯ minor

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As was the case with b. 24, in A (→FC,FE) there is not a single  before the a notes (in various octaves). The accidentals were added in EE (all) and in GE (except a1 in b. 26 and a in b. 27).
See also bars 27-32.

category imprint: Interpretations within context; Differences between sources

issues: EE revisions , GE revisions , Omission of current key accidentals , Errors of A , Last key signature sign , Errors repeated in GE , Errors repeated in FE

b. 25-26

composition: Op. 28 No. 12, Prelude in G♯ minor

2 slurs in A (→FC,FE→EE)

1 slur/tie in GE

4 slurs, our alternative suggestion
..

Unlike in analogous b. 21-22, Chopin wrote here in the R.H. part only one slur in each bar. The simplified notation could have represented economy of notation, typical of Chopin, or could have been aimed at reducing the number of cramped markings to help the engravers. Taking into account the latter, we suggest the more detailed marks from b. 21-22 as an alternative solution. GE distorted even the simplified slurring by replacing the slurs with one curved line, linking the minims in the top voice, which is, by the way, ambiguous, since it may be both a slur or a tie.

category imprint: Differences between sources; Editorial revisions

issues: GE revisions

b. 27-32

composition: Op. 28 No. 12, Prelude in G♯ minor

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In these bars Chopin would consistently put accidentals in A (→FE) only next to the bottom notes of the L.H. octaves (or not at all, as is the case with the 2nd crotchet in b. 27-28). Moreover, in b. 32 the  lowering c1 to c1 was crossed out in A! In FC Fontana added only 4 naturals concerning c1, while GE and EE contain all necessary accidentals.

category imprint: Interpretations within context; Differences between sources; Source & stylistic information

issues: EE revisions , Accidentals in different octaves , GE revisions , Deletions in A , Fontana's revisions , Inaccuracies in A , Errors repeated in FE

b. 30

composition: Op. 28 No. 12, Prelude in G♯ minor

d1-d2 in A (→FC,FE), contextual interpretation

d1-d2 in A (→FC,FE), possible interpretation, & GE1 & EE

d1-d2 in GE2 (→GE3)
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There are no accidentals before the last octave in A (→FC,FE), which results in d1-d2, which is a patent mistake. There are two possibilities:

  • Chopin meant a d1-d2 octave, yet he forgot to write a  next to the bottom note of the octave (version of GE1 and EE);
  • Chopin meant a d1-d2 octave, but he did not cancel the previous  next to the top note of the octave (version of GE2).

According to us, it is the latter that is much more likely, as it is suggested by the harmonic analogy in b. 29-30 and 31-32.

category imprint: Interpretations within context; Differences between sources; Corrections & alterations; Source & stylistic information

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