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Op. 23, Ballade in G minor

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b. 182

composition: Op. 23, Ballade in G minor

Separate slurs in A, interpretation suggested by the editors

Continuous slurs in FE (→GE,EE)
..

At the end of b. 182 and 186, which end their respective lines, the slurs of A suggest that they should be continued, which is, however, not confirmed by the new slurs in b. 183 and 187. The interpretation adopted by FE (→GE,EE) seems rational, taking into account the longer slurs in b. 180-181 and 184-185. In the main text we suggest an alternative interpretation in which the range of the slurs is related to harmonic changes – the individual slurs encompass a figuration based on one chord.

category imprint: Graphic ambiguousness; Differences between sources

issues: Inaccurate slurs in A , Uncertain slur continuation

b. 182-184

composition: Op. 23, Ballade in G minor

Shorter slurs in A

Longer slurs in FE (→GE,EE)
..

The slurs of A clearly reach only the last quaver in the motifs in b. 182-183 (it is only the first one that can be questionable, at the end of the line, but it does not go beyond the bar line either). Therefore, it is difficult to assume that the longer slurs of FE (→GE,EE) are an inaccuracy of the engraver, particularly since they are musically justified – they encompass entire motifs, as the two Chopinesque slurs in b. 180-182. Consequently, assuming Chopinesque proofreading, we give them in the main text.

category imprint: Differences between sources

issues: Authentic corrections of FE

b. 182

composition: Op. 23, Ballade in G minor

No markings in sources

Pedalling suggested by the editors
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In A, the omission of the pedal markings could have been a side effect of the corrections implemented in the L.H. part – Chopin wrote here, most probably by mistake, a broken E major chord, as in b. 181. In the 1st half of the bar, it was enough to correct the written-down text, while in the 2nd half, probably due to another mistake, the composer had to rewrite the entire figure on the stave below. The mistake could have been noticed while adding pedal markings; having finished the corrections, Chopin resumed entering pedal markings from the next line.

In the main text we suggest adding markings after the previous bars. 

category imprint: Editorial revisions

issues: Errors resulting from corrections

b. 185

composition: Op. 23, Ballade in G minor

at end of bar in sources

 under b, our alternative suggestion
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The  asterisk having been removed at the end of the bar in A and added under b, as in b. 180-181, is a reason for the suggested alternative version of pedalling. As Chopin considered a whole-bar pedal unsuitable for b. 184, there is no visible reason to apply it in b. 185, which is almost identical. Actually, there is a number of situations in which Chopin omits an intended correction in one of a few places, cf., e.g. the Etude in E, Op. 10 No. 3, b. 33, Prelude in B, Op. 28 No. 21, b. 36 or the Concerto in E minor, Op. 11, I mov., b. 50-51.

category imprint: Interpretations within context; Editorial revisions

issues: Omitted correction of an analogous place

b. 186-187

composition: Op. 23, Ballade in G minor

Shorter slurs in sources

Longer slurs, our alternative suggestion
..

In the main text, we give the slurs of the sources; however, taking into account the fact that the slurs in analogous b. 182-184 were possibly proofread, we suggest prolonging the slurs respectively here as well. Chopin could have assumed that the slurs given the first time would be enough to indicate the correct performance; on the other hand, one cannot exclude carelessness of the engraver, who could have implemented only the half of the marked corrections.

category imprint: Editorial revisions

issues: Omitted correction of an analogous place