mUltimate Chopin

Op. 2, Variations, complete

Text Compare Notes Sources Description

Issues : Errors in FE

b. 39

composition: Op. 2, Variations, complete

in A (→GE→EE,FESB)

No sign in FE
..

In the main text we keep the  hairpin present in A (→GE→EE,FESB). It seems that an oversight of the engraver of FE1 (→FE2) is a more likely explanation for its absence than a possible removal of the mark by Chopin (which he could have done while proofreading FE1).

category imprint: Differences between sources

issues: Errors in FE , Authentic corrections of FE

b. 45

composition: Op. 2, Variations, complete

Wedge in A (→GE→FE,EE)

No mark in FESB
..

The missing wedge for the L.H. octave is a mistake of FESB (revision? – in this layout the wedge could have seemed superfluous, since the one over the R.H. chord is valid for the L.H. too). A comparison with b. 46 reveals that in this version of the initial motif of the theme of the Variations, Chopin wanted to mark each of the first three notes with staccato markings (different – see the next note).

category imprint: Differences between sources

issues: Errors in FE

b. 46

composition: Op. 2, Variations, complete

Wedge in A (→GE→EE)

Wedge after A (→GE→EE)

No mark in FE & FESB
..

The lack of a wedge is probably an oversight by the engravers of FE and FESB.

category imprint: Differences between sources

issues: Errors in FE ,

b. 49-50

composition: Op. 2, Variations, complete

Pedalling in A (→GE→EE,FESB)

No pedal in FE, contextual interpretation
..

In FE the  mark was probably overlooked. In b. 50, on the next page, the corresponding  mark was reproduced correctly, which, however, is not enough for us to guess the authentic pedalling, since there are a few places in which the overlooked  mark could be placed. Due to the above, we treat the text of FE as not including pedalling markings in these bars.

category imprint: Differences between sources

issues: Errors in FE

b. 63

composition: Op. 2, Variations, complete

No chord in AsI

Minim c1 in A (→GE1→GE2)

Minim a1 in FE

Minim c1 with rest in EE

Semibreve a1 in FESB

Minims f & c1 in GE3

3 dotted minims suggested by the editors
..

Chopin would often differentiate the rhythmic values of a chord written on one stem. However, in this case one could have doubts whether the missing dot to c1 in A (→GE1→GE2,FESB) did not result from distraction. A possible earlier release of this key does not affect the sound, since the pedal pressed at the beginning of the bar is still to be held. Another issue could be the e1 crotchet: making it easier to play it or indicating that the e1 note falls already after two and not three crotchets. None of the above reasons seems plausible enough, hence in the main text we add a respective dot. In the other editions, the notation of this chord contains mistakes or revisions:

  • In FE the dot of a1 was overlooked, yet a dot to c1 was added;
  • EE added a crotchet rest after the c1 minim;
  • in FESB the dotted a1 minim written on the top stave is devoid of a stem, hence it looks like a semibreve (in this edition there is no difference between the minim and semibreve noteheads);
  • GE3 overlooked the dots to c1 and f.

category imprint: Differences between sources; Editorial revisions

issues: EE revisions , Errors in FE , Errors in GE