mUltimate Chopin

Op. 23, Ballade in G minor

Text Compare Notes Sources Description

Issues : Long accents

b. 197

composition: Op. 23, Ballade in G minor

No mark in A

Short accent on g1 in FE (→GE)

Long accent on g1 in EE

Long accent on e1, our alternative suggestion
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The accent added by FE (→GE) looks more like a common short accent. However, it is more likely that Chopin wrote a longer mark while the engraver of FE reproduced it in a standard manner. An example of this could be the accents in b. 201-205, undoubtedly long in A; in FE, they are virtually identical to the discussed one (the form of typical Chopinesque short accents can be seen on the same page of A, in b. 208-213). Due to the above, in the main text we suggest a long accent. The easiest explanation for the presence of a long accent in EE is the engraver's inaccuracy.

The placement of the accent is a more serious issue – according to us, it is likely that Chopin wrote it over e1, which was misinterpreted by the editions. Justification for this assumption – see the previous note. Accents (or other marks) ascribed to other notes by mistake can also be found in other pieces by Chopin (cf., e.g. the misplaced slur in b. 172-173 in the Concerto in F minor, Op. 21, III mov.).

category imprint: Differences between sources; Corrections & alterations

issues: Long accents , Errors in FE , Authentic corrections of FE

b. 218-223

composition: Op. 23, Ballade in G minor

Long accents in A (→FE)

Short accents in GE & EE
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GE and EE considered the longer accent under a1, exceptionally accurately reproduced by FE after A, an inaccuracy of notation. The same applies to the beginning of b. 223.

category imprint: Differences between sources

issues: Long accents , Inaccuracies in GE , EE inaccuracies