A - Autograph


Date: 22 I 1839
Title: 24 Préludes
Dedication: Son ami J. C. Kessler

Autograph fair-copy of all 24 Preludes, sent from Majorca on January 22, 1839 to Julian Fontana for copying. A served as the basis for the first French edition. Many deletions and corrections together with a considerable number of various errors and inaccuracies represent the work devoted by Chopin to A but also the effort the completion of such a large manuscript demanded from the ailing composer. A more detailed description of A as a whole – see Prelude in C no. 1.

In the Prelude in D minor it is the numerous corrections to the rhythm and R.H. slurs that are noteworthy, e.g. in b. 3-8, 12-1313-14 or 44-53. Chopin also corrected the L.H. part, e.g. in b. 10-11 and pedal markings, e.g. in b. 6

Original in: Biblioteka Narodowa, Warsaw
Shelf-mark: Mus. 93