We reproduce the notation of A, in which the length of the accents regularly decreases, which may suggest, e.g. that they should be each time milder, considering the calando. Such a graphical notation is to be found in a more complex form in the Polonaise in F minor, WN 12, in the autograph of which we can see in b. 79 a sequence of 6 notes marked diminuendo, provided with increasingly shorter accents. In the case of three accents only, it is, however, uncertain whether Chopin indeed wanted to suggest the pianist a certain performance idea; therefore, in the main text we interpret these marks in a standard manner, as long accents (written down inaccurately). This is how they were reproduced by GE1 (→GE2,FE1). The short accents of FESB and the vertical ones of EE are arbitrary changes, while the omission of the marks in GE3 – a mistake.
Compare the passage in the sources »
category imprint: Graphic ambiguousness; Differences between sources
issues: Long accents, EE revisions, Inaccuracies in FE, Errors in GE, Inaccuracies in A
notation: Articulation, Accents, Hairpins
