mUltimate Chopin

Op. 2, Variations, complete

Text Compare Notes Sources Description

Issues : Authentic corrections of FE

b. 282

composition: Op. 2, Variations, complete

c2 in AsI & A (→GE→EE,FESB)

a1 in FE
..

In the main text we give the version of FE, which most probably resulted from Chopin's proofreading. However, taking into account the possibility that the note was shifted by a third (by mistake), which is one of the most frequent errors in rewriting and copying notes, we consider the version of the remaining sources (undoubtedly authentic) an equal variant.

category imprint: Differences between sources; Corrections & alterations

issues: Authentic corrections of FE

b. 283

composition: Op. 2, Variations, complete

 on b2 in AsI & FE1 (→FE2)

No ornament in A (→GE→FESB,EE1→EE2)

 on a2 in EE3
..

In the main text we include the  added by Chopin in FE, hence in the last formation stage of the text of the Variations. Its presence also in the earliest of the preserved sources, AsI, suggests that Chopin hesitated; however, it is likely that the composer simply overlooked the mark in A. Probably on the basis of a comparison with FE2, the ornament was also added in EE3; however, it was placed inaccurately, as a result of which it seems to concern the 2nd semiquaver on the 2nd beat, a2, which is a mistake.

category imprint: Differences between sources

issues: EE revisions , Errors in EE , Chopin's hesitations , Errors of A , Authentic corrections of FE

b. 289

composition: Op. 2, Variations, complete

4-note chords in A (→GE→EE,FESB)

5-, 4- & 3-note chords in FE1 (→FE2)
..

We include the changes, undoubtedly Chopinesque, introduced by FE1 (→FE2), in the main text as the latest authentic version. See also both notes in the next bar.

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

issues: Errors in FE , Omissions to cancel alteration , Authentic corrections of FE

b. 290

composition: Op. 2, Variations, complete

a2-c3 third in AsI & A

Single notes in GE (→FESB,EE1→EE2)

3 thirds in FE & EE3
..

The initial version of AsI and A, with only one a2-c3 third, was additionally depleted by GE (→FESB,EE1→EE2), which did not notice the a2 crotchet at the beginning of bar 291 (it can be difficult to establish the presence of a middle note on ledger lines in Chopin's autographs, although in this case the a2 notehead is quite distinct). While proofreading FE1 (→FE2) Chopin added bottom thirds to the entire three-note motif, which was also taken into account by EE3.

category imprint: Graphic ambiguousness; Differences between sources; Corrections & alterations

issues: Errors in GE , Authentic corrections of FE , Uncertain notes on ledger lines

b. 290

composition: Op. 2, Variations, complete

Single L.H. notes & one-part notation of R.H. chord in AsI & A

Single L.H. notes & two-part notation of R.H. chord in GE (→EE,FESB)

L.H. octaves & R.H. sixth in FE1 (→FE2)
..

In GE (→EE,FESB) the R.H. part was retouched in the version of A – the chord and the sixth on the 2nd and 3rd beats of the bar were written down in two-part writing. It is uncertain whether it was an authentic change – it could have been introduced by the engraver or reviser in order to achieve homogeneous two-part writing.

However, much more serious changes – as was also the case with the previous bar – were introduced in the stage of proofreading FE1 (→FE2), which is proven by the visible traces of corrections, e.g. the outlines of the noteheads of the F and B quavers. At the same time, there is no doubt that they come from Chopin, hence we include them in the main text. In the changed version, an inaccuracy was committed – the f-f1 octave was mistakenly placed under the e2-c3 sixth, which can lead to a mistake in the interpretation of rhythm.

category imprint: Differences between sources; Corrections & alterations

issues: Authentic corrections of FE