mUltimate Chopin

Op. 23, Ballade in G minor

Text Compare Notes Sources Description

Issues : Authentic corrections of FE

b. 179

composition: Op. 23, Ballade in G minor

..

The traces of corrections performed in print of FE reveal that each of the three octaves in the 1st half of the bar was initially written down without division into parts, on one stem pointing downwards. The corrections in A suggest that Chopin introduced a similar change into A – the removed elements correspond to the octaves provided with stems pointing upwards only. It may be another case of "parallel" corrections of A and FE1 – see the description of that edition.

category imprint: Corrections & alterations; Source & stylistic information

issues: Corrections in A , Deletions in A , Authentic corrections of FE , FE revisions

b. 182-184

composition: Op. 23, Ballade in G minor

Shorter slurs in A

Longer slurs in FE (→GE,EE)
..

The slurs of A clearly reach only the last quaver in the motifs in b. 182-183 (it is only the first one that can be questionable, at the end of the line, but it does not go beyond the bar line either). Therefore, it is difficult to assume that the longer slurs of FE (→GE,EE) are an inaccuracy of the engraver, particularly since they are musically justified – they encompass entire motifs, as the two Chopinesque slurs in b. 180-182. Consequently, assuming Chopinesque proofreading, we give them in the main text.

category imprint: Differences between sources

issues: Authentic corrections of FE

b. 188-189

composition: Op. 23, Ballade in G minor

No sign in A

in FE (→EE) & GE1a

in GE
..

The  hairpin in FE (→EE) must have resulted from Chopinesque proofreading. GE reproduced the mark inaccurately, which is difficult to explain. It is equally difficult to explain why GE1a is compatible with FE and not with GE1. The latter seems to indicate that the engraver of GE1a had FE at his disposal; however, the coincidence may be purely accidental – the engraver of GE1a could have expanded the mark arbitrarily to adjust it to the quaver beam, which was a frequent manner of the then engravers.

category imprint: Differences between sources

issues: Inaccuracies in GE , Authentic corrections of FE

b. 191

composition: Op. 23, Ballade in G minor

No indication in A

ritenuto in FE (→GE,EE)
..

Chopin must have added ritenuto while proofreading FE (→GE,EE). GE used an abbreviation, i.e. riten.

category imprint: Differences between sources

issues: GE revisions , Authentic corrections of FE

b. 193

composition: Op. 23, Ballade in G minor

d1 in A

e1 in FE (→GE,EE)
..

According to us, the version of A is a mistake, which is indicated by a comparison with an analogous phrase in b. 93, identical in terms of the intervals used. Anyways, authentic proofreading of FE proves that this version was ultimately rejected.

category imprint: Differences between sources

issues: Errors of A , Authentic corrections of FE