Select: 
Category
All
Graphic ambiguousness
Interpretations within context
Differences between sources
Editorial revisions
Corrections & alterations
Source & stylistic information
Notation
All
Pitch
Rhythm
Slurs
Articulation, Accents, Hairpins
Verbal indications
Pedalling
Fingering
Ornaments
Shorthand & other
Importance
All
Important
Main


b. 283

composition: Op. 2, Variations, complete

No indication in sources

[Tutti] suggested by the editors

category imprint: Editorial revisions

b. 284-285

composition: Op. 2, Variations, complete

Slur from b2 to f3 in A, possible interpretation

Slur from a2 to f3 in GE (→FE,EE)

Slur from b2 to g3 in A, contextual interpretation

..

As in the previous bar, the beginning of the slur having been placed in GE (→FE,EE) at the beginning of bar 285 is probably a routine revision by the engraver of GE1. As far as the ending of the slur is concerned, in A it is clearly inaccurate – the fact that it reaches only e3 is musically inexplicable. However, it is uncertain whether Chopin wanted the slur to reach only f3, as is the case of GE (→FE,EE), or the g3 quaver, after the remaining slurs in bars 283-286, which always end on longer rhythmic values (quavers or crotchets). In the main text we incline toward the latter.

category imprint: Graphic ambiguousness; Differences between sources

issues: Inaccurate slurs in A , GE revisions

b. 287

composition: Op. 2, Variations, complete

..

In all sources, the dashes marking the range of the indication from bars 282-283 run continuously to the end of the tutti in bar 290. Except FE1 (→FE2), in which there is a simple octave sign, indicating that the given fragment is to be performed an octave higher, the notation seems to be simplified, since the chordal texture on the 3rd beat of bar 287 makes a performance with added octaves (con 8va) impossible. In the content transcriptions (the versions "edited text") and in the main text we specify this notation accordingly by inserting 8 on the 3rd beat of bar 287.

One can also ponder whether Chopin wanted "con o in", which seems to have been added before a simple octave sign (8va¯ ¯ ¯) in A, to be understood as "in octaves" initially and "an octave higher" from the 3rd beat of bar 287. In other words, it would be a joint instruction on how to perform the entire tutti, and not a description of two possible performances of the first phrase. Chopin would then expect a common-sense approach from the performer, who would have to guess that first, as long as possible, it is con 8va that is valid, and then, from the 3rd beat of bar 287 – in 8va. However, such understanding is contested by the way the indication was used in the Fantasy on Polish Airs, Op. 13, bars 130-148, in a context that rules out such an interpretation – the entire theme, encompassed with the indication, is written there in single notes, hence there are no grounds to assign con 8va to one fragment and in 8va to another.

category imprint: Interpretations within context; Source & stylistic information

issues: Inaccuracies in GE , Inaccuracies in FE , EE inaccuracies , Inaccuracies in A

b. 287

composition: Op. 2, Variations, complete

..

The top notes of the chords on the 2nd beat of the bar, d1-f1, are written down in A (→GEFE,FESB) on the top stave, as a result of which they came within range of the R.H. part octave sign. If they were to be included by the octave sign, it would be impossible to perform them with the L.H., which is clearly indicated by the stems and the beam shared with the f-b fourths. The awkward notation most probably resulted from the initial version of this tutti, written down in AsI. The unequivocal version adopted to the main text was also introduced by EE.

category imprint: Interpretations within context

issues: EE revisions , Inaccuracies in A

b. 287-288

composition: Op. 2, Variations, complete

..

In AsI and A, accidentals were put only next to the top notes of the octaves – a  to a in bar 287 and naturals to e3e and a  to g in bar 288. All necessary accidentals were already added by GE (→FE,EE).

category imprint: Interpretations within context; Differences between sources

issues: Accidentals in different octaves , GE revisions , Inaccuracies in A