mUltimate Chopin

Op. 23, Ballade in G minor

Text Compare Notes Sources Description

Issues : Inaccurate slurs in A

b. 47-48

composition: Op. 23, Ballade in G minor

Slur in b. 47 in A (literal reading→FE→GE,EE)

Slur to b. 48 in A, contextual interpretation
..

In A, the slur in b. 47, at the end of the line, clearly suggests that it should be continued, yet there is no ending thereof in b. 48. The fact that the version of b. 48 is erroneous (incomplete) is confirmed by a comparison with an analogous situation in b. 45-46, in which the slur undoubtedly reaches the 1st crotchet in b. 46. In FE (→GE,EE), it is the version of b. 47 that was considered inaccurate.

category imprint: Graphic ambiguousness; Differences between sources

issues: Inaccurate slurs in A , Uncertain slur continuation

b. 56

composition: Op. 23, Ballade in G minor

Slurs in A, contextual interpretation

Slur in A, different interpretation

Slurs in FE (→GE,EE)
..

When interpreted literally, the slur from the previous bars reaches the 4th or the 5th quaver, crossing a new slur on its way, encompassing b. 56-57. According to us, this notation may have at least 3 interpretations:

  • the ending of the slur from b. 54-55 is led too far so that the slur is supposed to reach the 1st quaver in b. 56 only. We consider this version to be most likely and give it in the main text;
  • the overlapping slurs are supposed to be one slur, which we give as an alternative solution;
  • the slur beginning in b. 56 is inaccurate – it should start only after the previous one ends. It corresponds, more or less, with the notation of FE (→GE,EE).

category imprint: Graphic ambiguousness; Differences between sources

issues: Inaccuracies in FE , Inaccurate slurs in A , Inaccuracies in A

b. 68-69

composition: Op. 23, Ballade in G minor

Slurs from 2nd note in A, literal reading

Slurs from 1st note in FE (→GE,EE)

Different slurs suggested by the editors
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It is uncertain where the L.H. slurs should start in these bars. In A, it seems that the slurs run from the 2nd crotchet of the bar, but the interpretation of A on the basis of a photograph is always prone to error. On the other hand, the engraver of FE (→GE,EE) would often put slurs in a routine manner, adjusting them to the rhythmic structures (e.g. in b. 32-33, 35 or 37-39). In the main text we adopt a hybrid solution, i.e. we consider only the slur of A in b. 69 to be inaccurate (cf. the unequivocal slur in identical b. 77). The source versions can be regarded as equal variants.

category imprint: Graphic ambiguousness; Differences between sources

issues: Inaccuracies in FE , Inaccurate slurs in A

b. 76-77

composition: Op. 23, Ballade in G minor

Slur in bar 76 in A (literal reading→FE→GE,EE)

Slur to bar 77 suggested by the editors
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When interpreted literally on the basis of the available photograph, the slur of A ends over the g1 crotchet; this is how it was reproduced by FE (→GE,EE). According to us, the small mark over the e1 minim in b. 77 may be the ending of that slur, a part of which is invisible or poorly visible due to an uneven flow of ink. This is indicated by a comparison with the slurs in analogous places, in b. 68-69, 70-71 and 78-79. Even if our conjecture concerning the range of the discussed slur is wrong, the slur having been prolongated in the last of the aforementioned places proves that Chopin wanted such a slurring.

category imprint: Graphic ambiguousness; Editorial revisions

issues: Inaccurate slurs in A

b. 80

composition: Op. 23, Ballade in G minor

Slur from 2nd note in A, contextual interpretation

Slur from 1st note in FE (→GE,EE)
..

According to us, the slur of A should be interpreted as running from the 2nd note in the bar – cf. similar situations in b. 32-33 or 68. The version of the editions is possible yet less likely – it does not include the shape of that slur, which does not suggest a relation to the bass C.

category imprint: Graphic ambiguousness; Differences between sources

issues: Inaccurate slurs in A