mUltimate Chopin

Op. 23, Ballade in G minor

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b. 179

composition: Op. 23, Ballade in G minor

Additional slur in A

No slur in FE (→GE,EE)
..

In the main text we do not include the additional slur of A over the quaver triplet. It was already omitted by FE (→GE,EE). Cf. General Editorial Principles, p. 16.

category imprint: Differences between sources

issues: FE revisions , Triplet slurs

b. 179

composition: Op. 23, Ballade in G minor

..

The traces of corrections performed in print of FE reveal that each of the three octaves in the 1st half of the bar was initially written down without division into parts, on one stem pointing downwards. The corrections in A suggest that Chopin introduced a similar change into A – the removed elements correspond to the octaves provided with stems pointing upwards only. It may be another case of "parallel" corrections of A and FE1 – see the description of that edition.

category imprint: Corrections & alterations; Source & stylistic information

issues: Corrections in A , Deletions in A , Authentic corrections of FE , FE revisions

b. 179

composition: Op. 23, Ballade in G minor

..

In GE2, this bar was re-engraved, most probably due to the wear and tear of this fragment of the plate. At the same time, a "mirror" mistake was committed – the slur along with the digit 4, marking a quadruplet, was printed under the first four bottom voice crotchets (it was placed to the left of the g1 crotchet instead of to the right). Interestingly, the rhythmic mistake of GE2 was not corrected in the subsequent impressions of GE – GE3 (→GE4) added the correct slur but did not move the digit.

category imprint: Differences between sources

issues: Errors resulting from corrections , Errors in GE , GE revisions , Sign reversal

b. 179

composition: Op. 23, Ballade in G minor

Notation in A (→FE)

Notation in GE

Notation in EE
..

The individual voices of the polymetric R.H. figure are not strictly placed in any of the sources, regardless of whether with respect to each other or whether with respect to the L.H. quavers. According to us, as far as the mutual relations between the R.H. voices are concerned, the only imprecision in the notation of A (→FE), i.e. all voices falling on the a1-d1-g2 chord, is intentional and directly indicates the performance manner intended by Chopin. In turn, the attempts of GE and EE to perfect this notation are unsuccessful – in both editions the quaver triplet in the top voice fills the last crotchet of the bottom voice quadruplet, which is a mistake, since the top voices are formally written down in a regular three-crotchet division. Moreover, the aforementioned chord was divided by EE, which, although mathematically correct, is contrary to the Chopinesque notation and most probably to the performance too.
As far as the mutual arrangement of both hands is concerned, it is only the version of FE that can be considered correct, i.e. the only featuring the correct synchronisation of the R.H. quadruplet with the L.H. quavers. The version of A is simply inaccurate in this respect, while the one of GE and EE – erroneous.
In the main text we reproduce the notation of FE, the only one devoid of mistakes in the arrangement of notes yet preserving the nature of the notation of A (a1-d1-g2 as the second element of the quadruplet). According to us, practically, one could apply another improvement: the last 2 quavers could be included in the superior rhythm of the crotchet quadruplet: . In the Chopinesque version, the gap between the last a1 note in the quadruplet and the f1 note belonging to the triplet is very small (1/6 of a quaver), and the difference between the position of the e2 quaver in the Chopinesque version and the one suggested here is twice as much smaller, which justifies them being equated.

category imprint: Interpretations within context; Differences between sources

issues: EE revisions , GE revisions , Inaccuracies in A

b. 179

composition: Op. 23, Ballade in G minor

Staccato dots in A (→FE→EE)

No marks in GE
..

The missing staccato dots for the first two quadruplet crotchets must be a mistake of the engraver of GE, probably related to the placement of these marks, which makes them difficult to convey.

category imprint: Differences between sources

issues: Errors in GE