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Op. 23, Ballade in G minor

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b. 156-157

composition: Op. 23, Ballade in G minor

Accents in A

No marks in FE (→GE,EE)

Our variant suggestion
..

It seems that the accents – as many other markings – were overlooked by the engraver of FE. However, to respect the image of the text of FE, carefully proofread by Chopin, in the main text we suggest them in a variant form, in brackets.

category imprint: Differences between sources

issues: Errors in FE

b. 156-157

composition: Op. 23, Ballade in G minor

..

In A (→FE), there is no  to the 6th quaver in b. 156 (f2). Chopin's patent inaccuracy was corrected by GE and EE.
In the main text we add cautionary flats to e1/2/3 in b. 156 and to the L.H. e1 in b. 157. Flats were added also by GE, and the one in b. 157 also by EE3.

category imprint: Interpretations within context; Differences between sources

issues: EE revisions , Accidentals in different octaves , GE revisions , Inaccuracies in A , Errors repeated in FE

b. 156-157

composition: Op. 23, Ballade in G minor

  in A, literal reading

  in FE (→GE,EE)

  suggested by the editors
..

The change of the range of the   hairpins must have resulted from a routine revision carried out by the engraver of FE (→GE,EE), who adjusted the marks to the rhythmic structures, i.e. an entire bar in b. 156 and half of a bar in b. 157. In A, the  mark in b. 157 is noteworthy, since it clearly begins before the first notes (this bar opens a new line) and reaches only the 5th quaver in the bar, which stands in stark contrast to the  mark in the previous bar, which occupies almost an entire bar. According to us, such a position of the mark may be explained by lack of space between the staves in the 2nd half of the bar and by the intention to compensate it having been excessively shortened by starting the mark earlier on the left-hand side, so that its length could be comparable to the  mark. Taking into account the above, in the main text we suggest a contextual interpretation of the marks of A resulting from the above analysis.

category imprint: Differences between sources; Editorial revisions

issues: Inaccuracies in FE , Scope of dynamic hairpins

b. 156-157

composition: Op. 23, Ballade in G minor

..

In the main text we add cautionary naturals before the last octave in b. 156 (C-c) and remove the flats, unnecessarily repeated in the sources, before the last octave in b. 157 (C-c).

category imprint: Editorial revisions

issues: Cautionary accidentals

b. 157

composition: Op. 23, Ballade in G minor

..

The sharp to f3 is written in A much lower, at the pitch of b2. Such inaccuracies are often to be found in Chopinesque autographs.

category imprint: Source & stylistic information

issues: Accidental below/above the note