mUltimate Chopin

Op. 2, Variations, complete

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Slurs

b. 283

composition: Op. 2, Variations, complete

Slur from g2 in A

Slur from f2 in GE (→FE,EE)
..

The slight change of range of the slur in GE (→FE,EE) could be considered an inaccuracy. According to us, a routine revision is, however, more likely, adjusting the range of the slur to beams or regular rhythmic structures, e.g. bars. In this case, the slur starts from the beginning of the bar, hence earlier than in A; by contrast, in bars 284-285 – also from the beginning of the bar, but later than in A. In the main text we give the slur of A, starting from the semiquaver, as in the analogous phrases in bars 275, 279 and 287.

category imprint: Differences between sources

issues: GE 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. 297-298

composition: Op. 2, Variations, complete

Slur from e3 & 2 wedges in AsI

Slur to f3 & wedge f3 in A

Slur to e3 & 2 wedges in GE (→FE,FESB)

Slur to e3 & wedge f3 in EE
..

The ending of the slur of A reaching f3 was most probably added later, replacing the previous markings, analogous to the two preceding figures (staccato dot and slur to the last semiquaver in bar 297). It is unclear why this distinct notation was not reproduced by GE (→FE,EE). Perhaps it was influenced by the layout, in which bar 298 opens a new line. Chopin's intervention seems highly unlikely here.
The absence of the wedge in EE is most probably an oversight.
The unclear entry in AsI may be a superimposition of two versions – an earlier one with two wedges (which, apart from a different kind of staccato mark, corresponds to the original A version) and a later one in which e3-f3 are slurred which corresponds to the ultimate A version.

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

issues: Corrections in A , GE revisions

b. 299

composition: Op. 2, Variations, complete

Slur in A

No slur in GE (→FE,EE)
..

The missing slur must be an oversight by the engraver of GE (→FE,EE).

category imprint: Differences between sources

issues: Errors in GE

b. 300

composition: Op. 2, Variations, complete

No slur in sources

Slur suggested by the editors
..

In the main text we suggest adding a slur after the two preceding bars of an analogous structure. Chopin either forgot to mark this bar (cf. the previous note) or considered that the previous bars were enough (as a performance pattern).

category imprint: Editorial revisions