mUltimate Chopin

Op. 2, Variations, complete

Text Compare Notes Sources Description

Issues : Errors of A

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

..

In all sources the bass f is provided with a wrong rhythmic value – a minim in AsI and a dotted minim in A (→GE→FE,EE). The mistake could have resulted from copying the notation of the bassoon II part, in which this note is played from the beginning of the bar and is provided with such a value – a minim in AsI and a dotted minim in GEork (→FEork). In the main text we give the correct value, written down in accordance with the division of the beams of the bottom voice on the top stave in A.

category imprint: Interpretations within context; Differences between sources

issues: Rhythmic errors , Errors of A , Errors repeated in GE , Errors repeated in FE , Errors repeated in EE ,

b. 356

composition: Op. 2, Variations, complete

No 8¯ ¯ ¯ in A (→GE1→FE1,EE1→EE2)

8¯ ¯ ¯ in AsI, GE2 (→GE3,FESB), FE2 & EE3
..

The version of A must be erroneous, which is indicated by a comparison with analogous bar 342, the text of AsI and probably Chopinesque proofreading of FE2. An octave sign was also added in GE2 (→GE3,FESB) and EE3. If – which is likely – the change in EE3 was introduced on the basis of a comparison with FE, it means that a copy of FE2 was used.

category imprint: Differences between sources

issues: EE revisions , GE revisions , Errors of A , Authentic corrections of FE

b. 367-368

composition: Op. 2, Variations, complete

..

In A a few necessary naturals restoring the right pitch to the previously altered notes are missing – to g2, c3, e3 in bar 367 and to c3 in bar 368. In GE1 (→FE,EE,GE2→FESB) only the second one was added, while in GE3 a third one was also added.

category imprint: Interpretations within context; Differences between sources

issues: Accidentals in different octaves , Omissions to cancel alteration , GE revisions , Errors of A

b. 370

composition: Op. 2, Variations, complete

g2 in A (→GE→FESB,EE1→EE2)

g2 in AsI, FE & EE3
..

The version of A and of the majority of the editions with g2 as the 12th semiquaver must be erroneous – Chopin forgot to cancel the  put to g2, the first note in the bar. This is evidenced by:

  • g2 present in AsI; admittedly, there is no  in that version, yet it is not necessary, since the 1st semiquaver in the bar is written down as f2, and not g2;
  • a natural added to this note in FE, probably by Chopin;
  • g1 appearing twice on the 2nd beat of the bar in the L.H. – if Chopin wanted to have g2 in the R.H. in spite of this, he would not have hesitated to mark it clearly.

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

issues: Errors resulting from corrections , Errors of A , Enharmonic corrections , Authentic corrections of FE