mUltimate Chopin

Op. 2, Variations, complete

Text Compare Notes Sources Description

Issues : Chopin's hesitations

b. 79

composition: Op. 2, Variations, complete

No repetition in AsI & GE (→FE,EE,FESB)

Repeat in A
..

It is difficult to assume that the removal of the repeat sign for b. 79-95 was not consulted with Chopin. However, the issue is generally obscure, since A is the only source in which the repeat sign was marked – it is absent both in AsI and in the orchestral material GEorch (→FEorch). Therefore, if the repeat signs are not a mistake, at some point Chopin considered expanding the Theme by 16 bars to eventually, after having sent A to the publisher, return to the initial concept. 

category imprint: Differences between sources; Corrections & alterations

issues: Chopin's hesitations , Authentic corrections of GE , Changed phrase length

b. 112-116

composition: Op. 2, Variations, complete

F1-F octaves in AsI

F1-F octaves in AsI

F quavers in A (→GE→FE,EE,FESB)

F quavers in A (→GE→FE,EE,FESB)
..

The octaves in AsI in b. 112 and at the beginning of b. 116 are probably the initial version, possibly a temporary variant, eventually abandoned by Chopin (the latter could be indicated by the notation with the carelessly written down 8s, probably added later, since the other octaves are written down without abbreviations).

category imprint: Corrections & alterations

issues: Chopin's hesitations , Bass register changes , Abbreviated octaves' notation

b. 132-133

composition: Op. 2, Variations, complete

2  in AsI, main version

 &  in A (→GE→FE,EE)
..

category imprint: Differences between sources; Corrections & alterations

issues: Chopin's hesitations , Main-line changes , Corrections of AI

b. 176

composition: Op. 2, Variations, complete

Basic version of AsI, and text of A (→GE→FE,EE,FESB)

Alternative version in AsI, first edition

Alternative version in AsI, 2nd edition
..

In AsI the 2nd half of the bar most probably had 3 versions, out of which we give the earliest, written down in regular script, as the text of this manuscript (it is compliant with the version of the remaining sources). According to us, the text added then in a smaller, draft-like script contains a version used in the remaining sources in b. 180 and 192 and its earlier edition, written down as if they created one version. The existence of two editions of this melodic and rhythmic idea is indicated by the different size of noteheads and by the record, suggesting replacing smaller notes with slightly bigger ones (yet still smaller than in the initial record).

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

issues: Chopin's hesitations , Accompaniment changes , Main-line changes

b. 182

composition: Op. 2, Variations, complete

in AsI, later version

after later AsI version

No ornament in AsI (original notation) & A (→GE→FE,EE,FESB)
..

In AsI the  mark and the grace notes indicating the ending of the trill were most probably added later the first time (b. 182). The interpretation of the second record (b. 182' – see b. 176-180) is more difficult; however, it seems that there was a  there, yet Chopin abandoned it in the layer of the latest, draft-like additions. As Chopin did not include this ornament in the final version, it is an example of the composer's hesitation, which ended in a return to the initial version. Cf. the previous bar.

category imprint: Differences between sources; Corrections & alterations

issues: Chopin's hesitations