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Op. 44, Polonaise in F♯ minor

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Verbal indications

b. 27

composition: Op. 44, Polonaise in F♯ minor

in GE

No mark in FE (→EE)
..

The missing mark in FE (→EE) is probably an oversight of the copyist or of the engraver.

category imprint: Differences between sources

b. 79

composition: Op. 44, Polonaise in F♯ minor

No indication in GE

in FE (→EE)
..

There are no reasons to doubt the authenticity of the  indication in FE; therefore, we give it in the main text.

category imprint: Differences between sources

b. 261

composition: Op. 44, Polonaise in F♯ minor

in GE

No marking in FE (→EE)
..

Chopin could have entered  into [A] after Fontana had finished [FC]. In this case it seems slightly more likely than a possible oversight of the mark by the copyist or the engraver of FE, since a similar situation concerns also  and  in b. 267-268 (however, such serial oversights would happen both to Fontana and the engravers – cf., e.g. the ending of the Prelude in B minor, Op. 28 No. 16 or the Prelude in E major, Op. 28 No. 19, b. 28-32). Anyways, there are no doubts as to the authenticity of this indication; as nothing indicates that Chopin would have wanted to forgo it, we give it in the main text.

category imprint: Differences between sources

b. 262

composition: Op. 44, Polonaise in F♯ minor

tempo di Polacca in GE1 & FE (→EE)

No indication in GE2
..

Omitting the second part of the tempo indication in GE2 could have seemed logical – Tempo I clearly defines the tempo of the returning main polonaise section of the piece. However, we must take into account the fact that at the beginning of the piece there are no indications concerning the tempo and nature of the composition, since it is obvious due to the title, i.e. Polonaise. In the discussed place, however, the title is not visible, which most probably prompted Chopin to specify the tempo.

The sources contain various forms of the conventional Tempo I indication, which we standardise:

  • GE1 – Tempo 1mo,
  • FE – Tempo 1o,
  • EE – Tempo Io,
  • GE2 – Tempo I.

We also correct the spelling mistake in the word "Pollacca" (double 'l') in FE. We reproduce the original versions in the graphic transcription (version "transcript"). See also General Editorial Principles, p. 9.

category imprint: Differences between sources

issues: GE revisions

b. 267

composition: Op. 44, Polonaise in F♯ minor

in GE

cresc. - - continued in FE (→EE)
..

The absence of  in FE (→EE) could be explained by an oversight or by the fact that it was entered into [A] after [FC] had been finished. Anyways, it is highly unlikely that Chopin would have removed that indication on purpose, hence we give it in the main text. In turn, the status of the dashes marking the range of cresc. having been led to the end of the bar is unclear. It could be an inaccuracy of the copyist or of the engraver of FE; however, one could imagine a scenario in which they are an authentic alternative to  – if the proof copy of FE1 had not contained cresc. - - either, Chopin could have added it with such a range of dashes.

category imprint: Differences between sources