mUltimate Chopin

Op. 2, Variations, complete

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b. 338

composition: Op. 2, Variations, complete

after A

No sign in AsI & GE (→FE,EE)
..

The missing  hairpin in the editions is probably an oversight by the engraver of GE1. He could have also assumed that there is too little space for this mark over the slur – cf. the previous bar, in which both marks written by Chopin between the R.H. voices were placed in the editions over the top voice.

category imprint: Differences between sources

issues: Errors in GE

b. 339

composition: Op. 2, Variations, complete

..

In A and in the majority of the editions the  restoring e2 is missing. Chopin's mistake, patent in this harmonic context, and typical of him, is proven by the  in the piano part of AsI and by the orchestral part – a respective accidental is in the part of the first clarinet. A flat was added only in GE3.

category imprint: Interpretations within context; Differences between sources; Editorial revisions

issues: Omissions to cancel alteration , GE revisions , Errors of A

b. 339-340

composition: Op. 2, Variations, complete

..

In the main text we add cautionary accidentals – a  to e1 in bar 339 and to e2 in bar 340 and a  to g2 in bar 339. Such accidentals were also added in the first editions:

  • in EE a  to g2 in bar 340,
  • in FESB a  to e2 and a  to g2 in bar 340,
  • in GE3 a  to e1 in bar 339 and to e2 in bar 340.

category imprint: Differences between sources; Editorial revisions

issues: EE revisions , GE revisions , Revisions in FESB

b. 339

composition: Op. 2, Variations, complete

in AsI & A

No ornament in GE (→FE,EE)
..

It is difficult to say how the  mark was overlooked by the editions. The most likely explanation would be an oversight by the engraver – the mark in A is small and squeezed in between the beam and the Clarin[etto] indication – if it were not for the fact that this ornament is absent in the sources of the orchestral part, in AsI and in GEork (→FEork). In the main text we give the published version, since:

  • Chopin could have removed  or accepted its absence in GE1, which was probably controlled by him.
  • Chopin could have accepted the absence of the ornament in FE1, which he certainly proofread (probably both the copy of GE1 that served as the basis and the edition itself). This is all the more likely, since in the two preceding bars the composer introduced an important change to the R.H. part.

The version with an ornament, undoubtedly authentic, can be considered an equal variant.

category imprint: Differences between sources

issues: Errors in GE , GE revisions , Authentic corrections of GE

b. 340

composition: Op. 2, Variations, complete

b1-d2 in A & FESB

b1-d2 in AsI & GE (→FE,EE)
..

The version of A featuring b1 must be Chopin's mistake, which in this case could be explained by score-like thinking – in the voice of the 2nd clarinet implementing the bottom line of the semiquavers, a  restoring b is unnecessary. The accidental, present in AsI, was then added already in the stage of proofreading GE (→FE,EE), perhaps by Chopin. It is the engraver of FESB that is to blame for the absence of this accidental in this edition.

category imprint: Differences between sources

issues: Omissions to cancel alteration , GE revisions , Errors of A , Authentic corrections of GE , Errors in FESB