mUltimate Chopin

Op. 23, Ballade in G minor

Text Compare Notes Sources Description

Issues : Terzverschreibung error

b.

composition: Op. 23, Ballade in G minor

g3 in A

c4 in FE1

b3 in FE2, GE & EE
..

The version of A is most probably a Terzverschreibung, which would often happen to Chopin with a larger number of ledger lines – cf., e.g. the Polonaise in C minor, Op. 26 No. 1, b. 5 or the Concerto in F minor, Op. 21, II mov., b. 83. Chopin corrected it twice while proofreading FE – FE1 includes c4, and it is only just FE2 and the remaining editions that include b3.

category imprint: Interpretations within context; Differences between sources

issues: Errors in FE , Terzverschreibung error , Errors in the number of ledger lines , Errors of A , Authentic corrections of FE

b. 47

composition: Op. 23, Ballade in G minor

..

GE1 (→GE1a,GE2→GE3) has a1 as the 5th quaver. The error is indicated by:

  • c2 occurring in A (→FE→EE),
  • analogy with bar 45,
  • a pianistically awkward cluster with the L.H. a1.

The error was corrected only in GE4.

category imprint: Differences between sources

issues: Errors in GE , Terzverschreibung error , GE revisions , Errors repeated in GE

b. 63

composition: Op. 23, Ballade in G minor

d2 in A & FE2, GE & EE

b1 in FE1
..

The b1 note in FE1 must be a mistake of the engraver, corrected in FE2 (probably by Chopin). The correct version in GE and EE may mean that it was also the bases for these editions that included Chopinesque corrections; however, it is uncertain, since such a mistake could have been detected by the reviser thanks to the very regular structure of the passages of this section.

In A, one can see another deleted note between the f1 and d2 quavers, most probably b1. The gaps between the notes in the entire group suggest that it was not replaced by d2, but removed from the initial version of the passage, which probably did not include the 2nd quaver, d1: .

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

issues: EE revisions , Errors in FE , Corrections in A , Terzverschreibung error , GE revisions , Deletions in A , Authentic corrections of FE , Main-line changes

b. 226

composition: Op. 23, Ballade in G minor

e3-a3 in A (→FE→GE)

c3-a3 in EE
..

The version of EE is a typical Terzverschreibung mistake, in this case probably additionally influenced by the sixths in the adjacent bars.

category imprint: Differences between sources

issues: Errors in EE , Terzverschreibung error

b. 231

composition: Op. 23, Ballade in G minor

..

In FE (→GE) there is a (cautionary?)  to e3 in the 4th quaver. This unnecessary revision (the accidental is absent in A!) most probably resulted from a misunderstanding or a mistake when correcting another error – in FE one can see here traces of removal of g3 (printed without a , necessary at this pitch). Upon seeing the octave with a  only to the bottom note, the proofreader – perhaps even Chopin – could have instinctively added the other , particularly if he were just adding flats to the L.H. part. Having realised that it is a Terzverschreibung mistake, he marked a change to the pitch of the note, which the engraver implemented by moving the notehead along with the . EE did not include the superfluous accidental.

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

issues: EE revisions , Terzverschreibung error , Authentic corrections of FE , FE revisions