mUltimate Chopin

Op. 23, Ballade in G minor

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b. 113

composition: Op. 23, Ballade in G minor

Minim c2-f2 in A (→FE→GE,EE1→EE2)

Dotted minim in EE3
..

It does not seem that Chopin wanted to hold this fourth to the end of the 1st half of the bar, which, as far as the rhythm and harmony are concerned, could be considered justified. The composer could have taken into account the piano grip – releasing the middle fingers makes it easier to perform the chord with grace notes, hence he did not want to suggest that they should be held. Anyway, if we include the authentic pedalling, the difference between both versions is practically imperceptible. 

category imprint: Differences between sources

issues: EE revisions

b. 113

composition: Op. 23, Ballade in G minor

Lower-voice slur in A

No slur in FE (→GE,EE)
..

The version without a slur most probably resulted from an oversight by the engraver of FE (→GE,EE). In the main text, however, we give this version, since Chopin did not restore the slur while proofreading FE, in spite of the fact that he addressed the R.H. slur in the next bar, while in the discussed place he most probably corrected the value of the a1 note (see the next note). The omission of the slur is also supported by the corrections to the top voice slurs, visible in A – the discussed slur was most probably related to the version of slurring Chopin eventually forwent.

category imprint: Differences between sources

issues: Errors in FE

b. 113

composition: Op. 23, Ballade in G minor

..

In A, Chopin overlooked two necessary accidentals – a  to f and a  to b. Both inaccuracies were removed in FE (→GE,EE). By contrast, in the R.H. part, the  to b1 in the middle of the bar was unnecessarily repeated; it was included in all editions. We omit this accidental in the main text.

category imprint: Interpretations within context; Differences between sources

issues: Accidentals in different octaves , Cautionary accidentals , Authentic corrections of FE , FE revisions

b. 113

composition: Op. 23, Ballade in G minor

Long accent in A, contextual interpretation

Short accent in FE (→GE,EE)
..

category imprint: Graphic ambiguousness; Differences between sources

issues: Long accents

b. 114-115

composition: Op. 23, Ballade in G minor

2 slurs in A

Slur in FE (→GE,EE)
..

The longer slur of FE (→GE,EE) must have resulted from Chopinesque proofreading. It is proven by the corrections to the slurs of A in b. 112-114, moving in this direction.

category imprint: Differences between sources; Corrections & alterations

issues: Authentic corrections of FE