mUltimate Chopin

Op. 23, Ballade in G minor

Text Compare Notes Sources Description

Issues : Authentic corrections of FE

b. 80

composition: Op. 23, Ballade in G minor

No signs in A

before 3rd crotchet in FE (→GE,EE)

 before 4th crotchet suggested by the editors
..

The position of the first  mark is harmonically unjustified here, hence we consider it inaccurate. Inaccuracies in the interpretation of pedal markings inserted by Chopin both in autographs and while proofreading are not uncommon – cf., e.g. b. 72.

category imprint: Editorial revisions

issues: Inaccuracies in FE , Authentic corrections of FE

b. 85

composition: Op. 23, Ballade in G minor

Slur in A, literal reading

Slur in FE (→GE,EE)
..

A comparison of four R.H. slurs in b. 85 and 89 suggests that the second slur in b. 85 in A is either inaccurate or incomplete (the actual beginning of the slur may be imperceptible on the photograph). It cannot be excluded that some changes were made in the stage of proofreading FE, in which the range of this slur corresponds to the range of its counterpart in b. 89. Due to the above, in the main text we give the slur of FE (→GE,EE), unquestionable in terms of both sources and style.

category imprint: Differences between sources

issues: Inaccurate slurs in A , Authentic corrections of FE

b. 87-88

composition: Op. 23, Ballade in G minor

No markings in A

   in bar 88 in FE

   in GE & EE
..

 at the beginning of b. 87 is the only pedal marking in these bars in A. It is almost certainly an oversight by Chopin, who resumed writing markings after transitioning to a new line. FE (→GE,EE) added markings in b. 88, most probably at Chopin's request, while GE and EE also added a  at the end of b. 87.

category imprint: Differences between sources

issues: EE revisions , GE revisions , Authentic corrections of FE , No pedal release mark , Inaccuracies in A

b. 93-94

composition: Op. 23, Ballade in G minor

rallentando in A

rallentando - - a tempo in FE (→GE,EE)
..

The dashes marking the range of rallentando and the a tempo indication were added – certainly at Chopin's request – in the stage of proofreading FE (→GE,EE). The other elements added while proofreading – see the remaining notes in b. 93.

category imprint: Differences between sources; Corrections & alterations

issues: Authentic corrections of FE

b. 93

composition: Op. 23, Ballade in G minor

No slur in A

Slur in FE (→GE,EE)

Slur suggested by the editors
..

The slur encompassing the 1st half of the bar was added – most probably by Chopin – in the stage of proofreading FE (→GE,EE). We consider it simplified due to graphical reasons (perhaps by the engraver); in the main text, we suggest a slur encompassing the entire accompanying figure, modelled on the previous bars.

category imprint: Differences between sources; Editorial revisions; Corrections & alterations

issues: Authentic corrections of FE