mUltimate Chopin

Op. 2, Variations, complete

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

Slurs

b. 342

composition: Op. 2, Variations, complete

No slur in AsI

Slur in A (→GE→FE,EE)
..

According to us, the slur in A (→GE→FE,EE) is an element of an earlier version of this place left by inattention or simply a mistake. This is supported by the following arguments:

  • problematic meaning of this slur, placed under the staccato dots – Chopin would often use dots under a slur to mark softly separated portato articulation, e.g. in bars 16, 32, at the end of bars 62 and 63 or in bars 259, 264 and 268; however, they are always between the notes and the slur. The notation used in this case rather points to the intention of replacing the slur with dots;
  • an individual nature of this slur – none of the three similar places (bars 346, 356 and 360) contain a slur;
  • the absence of a slur in AsI, although Chopin entered a number of various performance markings into this four-bar section, including a few in this bar (a R.H. slur, L.H. staccato, dynamic hairpins).

Due to these reasons, in the main text we omit this slur.

category imprint: Differences between sources; Editorial revisions

issues: Corrections in A , Errors resulting from corrections

b. 345-347

composition: Op. 2, Variations, complete

Slur in b. 345-346 in AsI

No slurs in b. 345-346 in A (→GE→FE,EE)

3 slurs suggested by the editors

Continuous slur, our alternative suggestion

Slur divided after b. 345, our different suggestion

Slur divided after b. 346, our another suggestion
..

As in bar 342, the missing R.H. slurs in bars 345-346 are most probably Chopin's oversight, hence it would be appropriate to add slurs. We suggest three versions analogous to the complete versions of bars 341-343 and a fourth one modelled on the continuous slur in bars 359-361, yet maintaining separate the slur entered by Chopin into A at the beginning of bar 347. To the main text we choose the version analogous to the one proofread by Chopin in bars 341-343.

category imprint: Differences between sources; Editorial revisions

issues: Errors of A

b. 354

composition: Op. 2, Variations, complete

No slur in sources

Slur suggested by the editors
..

In the main text we suggest adding top voice slurs. In general, the notation of slurs in this orchestral insert is inaccurate in A and most probably was not reproduced correctly in the editions – see further notes in this bar.

category imprint: Editorial revisions

b. 354

composition: Op. 2, Variations, complete

No slur in AsI & A

Slur in GE (→FE,EE)
..

The slur under the last three quavers of the R.H. bottom voice added in GE (→FE,EE) is questionable, as far as its possible authenticity is concerned. The slurring of this bar could actually be considered incomplete; however, a slur of such range does not correspond to any tangible structural unit (motif), while legato articulation is indicated in the sources of the orchestral part for the entire 6-note motif of the bassoon I from the 2nd quaver in the bar to the beginning of bar 355. According to us, the slur could have resulted from a misunderstanding in interpreting A or an entry in the proof copy of GE1 (perhaps Chopinesque). Taking into account the above, we do not include this slur in the main text.

category imprint: Differences between sources

issues: GE revisions

b. 363-364

composition: Op. 2, Variations, complete

..

The slurs were being corrected in A, which is evidenced by the traces of erasures in the R.H. part and by the shape of the first L.H. slur. In the R.H. in bar 363 the first slur encompassed 2 triplets, while the second one started from g2. In the L.H. the slur in bar 363 reached only the last octave in this bar.

category imprint: Corrections & alterations; Source & stylistic information

issues: Corrections in A