mUltimate Chopin

Op. 23, Ballade in G minor

Text Compare Notes Sources Description

Issues : Authentic corrections of FE

b. 222-223

composition: Op. 23, Ballade in G minor

No markings in A

Pedalling in FE (→GE,EE)
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In the main text we include the pedal markings added by Chopin while proofreading FE (→GE,EE). In b. 223 in GE, the  asterisk is placed after the d minim. It must be a mistake, probably a 'mirror' mistake – placing a mark on the wrong side of a reference point, e.g. a note.

category imprint: Differences between sources

issues: Inaccuracies in GE , Authentic corrections of FE

b. 224-225

composition: Op. 23, Ballade in G minor

No slur in A

a-d slur in FE (→GE,EE)

c-d slur suggested by the editors
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It is highly unlikely that the slur added in the stage of proofreading FE (→GE,EE) was supposed to have such a range. According to us, Chopin entered into the proof copy a slur running from the c minim, perhaps inaccurately, which resulted in it starting later in the editions (the slur pointed upwards, just like the one in b. 226-227, which we do not reproduce in our transcriptions). This interpretation is supported by the aforementioned slur in b. 226-227, also added in the stage of proofreading FE.
Such misrepresentations are very frequent in the case of ties, e.g. in the Polonaise in F minor, Op. 44, b. 201-202. 

category imprint: Differences between sources; Editorial revisions

issues: Errors in FE , Authentic corrections of FE

b. 225-227

composition: Op. 23, Ballade in G minor

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In the main text we add a cautionary  to a1 in b. 225. A respective accidental in b. 227 was already added by FE (→GE,EE), most probably at Chopin's request – cf. b. 217-219, in which Chopin wrote this  in A the second time, i.e. in b. 219.

category imprint: Differences between sources; Editorial revisions

issues: Cautionary accidentals , Authentic corrections of FE

b. 226-227

composition: Op. 23, Ballade in G minor

No slur in A

Slur in FE (→GE,EE)
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In the main text we include the slur encompassing the bass motif, which Chopin must have added while proofreading FE (→GE,EE).

category imprint: Differences between sources; Corrections & alterations

issues: Authentic corrections of FE

b. 229

composition: Op. 23, Ballade in G minor

..

FE (→GE,EE) added an unobvious cautionary  to a in the 2nd crotchet. It suggests that it was Chopin who performed it, since a few other situations prove the composer's subconscious uncertainty as to the validity of a 3rd key signature , e.g. the mistake in b. 231.

category imprint: Differences between sources

issues: Cautionary accidentals , Authentic corrections of FE