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Op. 44, Polonaise in F♯ minor

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Slurs

b. 166-167

composition: Op. 44, Polonaise in F♯ minor

e1 tied in GE

e1 repeated in FE (→EE)

Our variant suggestion
..

The authenticity of the tie of GE does not raise major concerns; there could also be a number of reasons for its absence in FE (→EE), e.g. an oversight of the copyist or of the engraver of FE or the tie having been added to [A] after [FC] had already been finished. On the other hand, it is the version of FE, which repeats e, that is compliant with the version of analogous b. 225-226. Therefore, in the main text we suggest a variant solution.

category imprint: Differences between sources

b. 186-189

composition: Op. 44, Polonaise in F♯ minor

No slurs in GE & FE (→EE)

2 slurs suggested by editors
..

In accordance with the explanation in the note to b. 127, in the main text we suggest adding slurs (in square brackets) after analogous bars 127-128, 147-148 and 208-209. We also add staccato dots (see the adjacent note).

category imprint: Editorial revisions

b. 186-188

composition: Op. 44, Polonaise in F♯ minor

Slurs from acciaccaturas to g1-b1 in GE

No slurs in FE1

Slur from grace notes to E in bar 186 in FE2 & EE
..

In the entire middle section, each time this theme appears, the grace notes go with the R.H. melody (cf. b. 129, 148-149, 206-208), hence we follow here GE, considering the version of FE2 (→EE) to be a an inept revision.

category imprint: Differences between sources

issues: EE revisions , FE revisions

b. 187-188

composition: Op. 44, Polonaise in F♯ minor

2 slurs in GE

Continuous slur in FE (→EE)
..

In the main text we give the R.H. slurring after GE – a slur/tenuto in b. 186-187 and a longer slur starting from b. 188. Such a solution is supported by the following arguments:

  • The presence of the slur/tenuto, frequently used by Chopin, points to a high likelihood of authenticity of such slurring. In turn, the continuous slur of FE could have resulted from the engraver having misunderstood such a non-standard notation.
  • It is also the mistakes and inaccuracies of FE in the reproduction of the slurs concerning grace notes (see the note at the beginning of b. 186) that question the credibility of FE in this place, indicating a possible inaccuracy of the basis and insufficient control of the text in the edition. It justifies the choice of one source in the case of all slurs in b. 186-188.
  • The slurs of GE are compliant with the slurring of similar motifs in b. 206-208, present in all sources.

category imprint: Differences between sources

issues: Tenuto slurs

b. 198-200

composition: Op. 44, Polonaise in F♯ minor

No slur in GE

Slur in FE (→EE)
..

The slur, probably added by Chopin to the basis or in the stage of proofreading FE (→EE), most probably refers to the motifs of the middle voices – cf., e.g. b. 139-141 or 159-161. In the discussed place, the original layout does not allow for it to be placed closer to those motifs.

category imprint: Differences between sources