mUltimate Chopin

Op. 23, Ballade in G minor

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b. 82

composition: Op. 23, Ballade in G minor

Minim in A

Dotted minim in FE (→GE,EE)
..

On the available photograph of A, the R.H. rhythm notation is vague – in the 1st half of the bar, there is an e2 minim and a crotchet rest; however, one can see a mark between them that can be considered a blurred dot prolonging the minim. If we included that dot (as it was done by FE (→GE,EE)), there would be too many rhythmic values; therefore, the editions left out the rest. According to us, the notation of A is not erroneous; the alleged dot is most probably an accidental fleck of ink, one of many visible in this manuscript.

category imprint: Differences between sources

issues: Errors in FE , Inaccuracies in A

b. 85-89

composition: Op. 23, Ballade in G minor

..

In A, Chopin overlooked the flats lowering a to a in b. 85 and 89 and the  lowering a1 to a1 in b. 89. The inaccurate notation was repeated unchanged by FE (→EE1), while in b. 85 also by EE2. The versions of the remaining editions are correct (GE and EE3).

category imprint: Interpretations within context; Differences between sources

issues: EE revisions , GE revisions , Omission of current key accidentals , Inaccuracies in A , Errors repeated in FE , Errors repeated in EE

b. 85

composition: Op. 23, Ballade in G minor

Slur in A, literal reading

Slur in FE (→GE,EE)
..

A comparison of four R.H. slurs in b. 85 and 89 suggests that the second slur in b. 85 in A is either inaccurate or incomplete (the actual beginning of the slur may be imperceptible on the photograph). It cannot be excluded that some changes were made in the stage of proofreading FE, in which the range of this slur corresponds to the range of its counterpart in b. 89. Due to the above, in the main text we give the slur of FE (→GE,EE), unquestionable in terms of both sources and style.

category imprint: Differences between sources

issues: Inaccurate slurs in A , Authentic corrections of FE

b. 87

composition: Op. 23, Ballade in G minor

Slur from b2 in A, contextual interpretation

No slur in FE (→GE,EE)
..

The range of the slur over the b2 minim is not entirely clear in A – the placement of the beginning of the slur may suggest that it runs from the 1st note in the bar. However, a comparison with the slur in the next bar proves that both slurs refer to the syncopated b2 minims only; thus, they most probably emphasise the tenuto nature of these notes.
The omission of the slur by FE (→GE,EE) may be explained by the engraver being uncertain about the range and meaning of the slur. See also the next note.  

category imprint: Graphic ambiguousness; Differences between sources

issues: Errors in FE , Inaccurate slurs in A , Tenuto slurs

b. 87-88

composition: Op. 23, Ballade in G minor

No markings in A

   in bar 88 in FE

   in GE & EE
..

 at the beginning of b. 87 is the only pedal marking in these bars in A. It is almost certainly an oversight by Chopin, who resumed writing markings after transitioning to a new line. FE (→GE,EE) added markings in b. 88, most probably at Chopin's request, while GE and EE also added a  at the end of b. 87.

category imprint: Differences between sources

issues: EE revisions , GE revisions , Authentic corrections of FE , No pedal release mark , Inaccuracies in A