mUltimate Chopin

Op. 23, Ballade in G minor

Text Compare Notes Sources Description

Issues : Errors in FE

b. 238

composition: Op. 23, Ballade in G minor

Staccato dot in A

No mark in FE (→GE,EE)
..

In the available photograph of A, it seems that below the horizontal line of the second f letter of the  marking, there is a staccato dot concerning the B-b octave. Its absence in FE (→GE,EE) can be explained by the fact that the marks blend into each other; therefore, we include it in the main text. Due to the uncertainty of interpretation, made on the basis of a blurred photograph, the version of the editions may be considered an equal variant.

category imprint: Graphic ambiguousness; Differences between sources

issues: Errors in FE , Inaccuracies in A

b. 238

composition: Op. 23, Ballade in G minor

in A

No indication in FE (→GE,EE)

(), our variant suggestion
..

As there are no visible traces of removal of  in FE, it seems that the reason for the absence of this indication in the editions could be attributed to an oversight by the engraver. However, taking into account the possibility that it could have been accepted by Chopin, in the main text we suggest a variant solution.

category imprint: Differences between sources; Editorial revisions

issues: Errors in FE

b. 242-244

composition: Op. 23, Ballade in G minor

5 sextuplet slurs in A

4 sextuplet slurs in FE (→GE,EE)

No sextuplet slurs, our alternative suggestion
..

In A, each of the subsequent 7 sextuplets in b. 242-245 is provided with a digit 6 and a separate slur, irrespective of the primary slur encompassing the entire chromatic sequence. Apart from minor inaccuracies, this notation was reproduced in the editions too. Such accuracy in marking a most regular structure is exceptional not only in Chopin's manuscripts, but also in the editorial practices in general. In this situation, we keep it in the main text, although the mUltimate Chopin editors did not find any potential reason for this uncommon notational consistency convincing enough to be worth mentioning. Our alternative suggestion is a simplified notation, adapted to the principles we adhere to in our transcriptions – cf. General Editorial Principles, p. 16.
The absence of the first of the additional slurs seems to be an inadvertence by the engraver of FE (→GE,EE). 

category imprint: Interpretations within context; Differences between sources; Editorial revisions

issues: Errors in FE , Triplet slurs

b. 245-246

composition: Op. 23, Ballade in G minor

2 separate slurs in A

Continuous slur in FE (→EE)

3 separate slurs in GE
..

In A, the slurs between these bars were being corrected – according to us, Chopin divided the initial continuous slur, which is indicated by the endings marking the division of the slur (the endings are clearly bolder, hence more important, final). However, the part of the initial slur that was supposed to be deleted was not eventually removed, hence FE (→EE) understood this correction the other way around (it is also likely that the correction was not there yet when FE was being engraved – see the description of FE). In the main text we give the slurs separated by Chopin. The versions of GE and GE1a, with the slur divided before the last sextuplet and after it, most probably resulted from mistakes or arbitrary revisions.
We discuss the issue of the additional slurs encompassing the sextuplets separately – see the previous note.

category imprint: Graphic ambiguousness; Differences between sources; Corrections & alterations; Source & stylistic information

issues: Errors in FE , Corrections in A , Errors resulting from corrections , Errors in GE , GE revisions

b. 252-253

composition: Op. 23, Ballade in G minor

Portato dots in A

No marks in FE (→GE,EE)
..

In the main text we include the portato dots entered into A. The marks are absent in FE (→GE,EE), which we consider an oversight by the engraver.

category imprint: Differences between sources

issues: Errors in FE