mUltimate Chopin

Op. 23, Ballade in G minor

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b. 43

composition: Op. 23, Ballade in G minor

Slur in A

No slur in FE (→GE,EE)
..

The absence of the slur in FE (→GE,EE) must be an oversight of the engraver of FE – in A, the mark blends into the stave, hence it is poorly visible; moreover, its meaning may be vague due to its flat shape.

category imprint: Differences between sources

issues: Errors in FE

b. 43

composition: Op. 23, Ballade in G minor

Long accent in A (→FE), literal reading

Short accent in A (contextual interpretation) & GE

Vertical accent in EE
..

In this place, the accent of A is clearly longer than the remaining ones, which was even reproduced by FE. In spite of that, in the main text we suggest a short accent, since we assume that an accidental inaccuracy is more likely. The vertical accent of EE is an arbitrary change, compliant with the manner of that edition – cf. b. 41-43.

category imprint: Graphic ambiguousness; Differences between sources

issues: Long accents , EE revisions , Inaccuracies in GE , Inaccuracies in A

b. 44

composition: Op. 23, Ballade in G minor

Accent under L.H. in A

2 short accents between staves in FE (→GE,EE)

2 long accents suggested by the editors
..

The two accents in FE must have resulted from Chopin's proofreading; apparently, he decided to homogenise the markings in b. 44 and 46. Taking into account the fact that the accents of A in b. 46 are clearly long, which, however, were reproduced by FE as short, we assume that it is also in b. 44 that Chopin most probably wanted to have long accents; this is the solution we adopt in the main text.

category imprint: Differences between sources; Editorial revisions; Corrections & alterations

issues: Long accents , Inaccuracies in FE , Authentic corrections of FE

b. 44-45

composition: Op. 23, Ballade in G minor

2 slurs, second to b. 45 in A

2 slurs in b. 44 in FE (→GE1,EE)

1 slur in GE1a

No slurs in GE2 (→GE3→GE4)
..

The missing second slur in GE1a and both slurs in GE2 (→GE3→GE4) must be errors of the engravers. The mistake committed in GE2 is a side effect of re-engraving this bar, on the edge of the page, due to the wear and tear of printing materials (engraving plates). In A, the second slur is clearly led to the beginning of b. 45; however, in FE (→GE1,EE), the ending of that slur does not reach that far.

category imprint: Graphic ambiguousness; Differences between sources

issues: Inaccuracies in FE , Errors in GE , Uncertain slur continuation

b. 44

composition: Op. 23, Ballade in G minor

No slur in sources

Slur suggested by the editors
..

According to us, the missing slur over the e-d motif may be attributed to graphical difficulties – due to the layout of A, entering a slur would be associated with a risk of reducing the legibility of notation. On the other hand, Chopin could have considered the slur in b. 46 necessary to separate the parts of both hands, which was unobvious in the authentic layout. Taking into account the above, in the main text we suggest adding a slur in b. 44 in a variant form.

category imprint: Editorial revisions