mUltimate Chopin

Op. 23, Ballade in G minor

Text Compare Notes Sources Description

Issues : Inaccuracies in A

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. 65-67

composition: Op. 23, Ballade in G minor

..

It is only GE that include the correct version of the R.H. rest in the 2nd half of b. 65. In A and EE, there is only a minim rest (without a dot), while in FE there is no rest at all. In the 1st half of b. 67, A (→FE→EE) contain only a minim rest too, which suggests that it was considered to be filling a half of the bar (analogously to a semibreve rest).

category imprint: Interpretations within context; Differences between sources

issues: EE revisions , Errors in FE , GE revisions , EE inaccuracies , Inaccuracies in A

b. 72

composition: Op. 23, Ballade in G minor

..

In A, there is no  to the last L.H. note (a1). The patent inaccuracy was corrected by FE (→GE,EE).

category imprint: Interpretations within context; Differences between sources

issues: Omission of current key accidentals , FE revisions , Inaccuracies in A

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