mUltimate Chopin

Op. 23, Ballade in G minor

Text Compare Notes Sources Description

Issues : Errors in FE

b. 113

composition: Op. 23, Ballade in G minor

Lower-voice slur in A

No slur in FE (→GE,EE)
..

The version without a slur most probably resulted from an oversight by the engraver of FE (→GE,EE). In the main text, however, we give this version, since Chopin did not restore the slur while proofreading FE, in spite of the fact that he addressed the R.H. slur in the next bar, while in the discussed place he most probably corrected the value of the a1 note (see the next note). The omission of the slur is also supported by the corrections to the top voice slurs, visible in A – the discussed slur was most probably related to the version of slurring Chopin eventually forwent.

category imprint: Differences between sources

issues: Errors in FE

b. 119

composition: Op. 23, Ballade in G minor

in A

No marking in FE (→GE,EE)

() suggested by the editors
..

According to us, it is highly likely that  was accidentally overlooked by the engraver of FE (→GE,EE). If we were to look at the elements closest to the E1-E octave, the mark could have been easily taken for, e.g. a pedal release mark. On the other hand, Chopin proofread the Ballade quite exactly, hence in the majority of the situations it can be considered that the text of FE was accepted. Therefore, in the main text we suggest a variant solution.

category imprint: Differences between sources

issues: Errors in FE

b. 120-124

composition: Op. 23, Ballade in G minor

Staccato dots in A

No marks in FE (→GE,EE)
..

In FE (→GE,EE), the staccato dots over the initial octaves in b. 120 and 124, present in A, were overlooked. In this case, it is an oversight by the engraver of FE that seems to be the most likely reason; therefore, we include these dots in the main text, particularly since the presence of a respective mark in b. 122 in the editions rather excludes the possibility that Chopin could have consciously accepted inconsistent markings.

category imprint: Differences between sources

issues: Errors in FE

b. 125

composition: Op. 23, Ballade in G minor

sempre in A

No indication in FE (→GE,EE)
..

It is unclear whether sempre (più animato) was overlooked or removed by FE (→GE,EE). In the main text, however, we give this version, since it seems that it continues the direction of the agogic changes of the section that begins here; the changes were initiated already in A – see the note in b. 136.

category imprint: Differences between sources

issues: Errors in FE , Authentic corrections of FE

b. 136

composition: Op. 23, Ballade in G minor

più vivo in A

No indication in FE (→GE,EE)
..

The più vivo indication was entered into A instead of the earlier sempre più vivo (which was deleted). According to us, the omission of sempre could have been correlated with it having been added before più animato in b. 126 (that sempre having been added later is evidenced by an unnaturally greater gap between sempre and più than between più and animato). In this situation, forgoing the indications in two places for a single più animato in b. 126, which we can see in FE (→GE,EE), can be considered the last stage of shaping the agogic changes in this fragment – Chopin could have assumed that such a solution would define here the relationships between the tempi in a simplest and most accurate manner, since it is from this bar that a new section begins, featuring a clearly different texture.

category imprint: Differences between sources; Corrections & alterations; Source & stylistic information

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