mUltimate Chopin

Op. 2, Variations, complete

Text Compare Notes Sources Description

Issues : EE inaccuracies

b. 135-136

composition: Op. 2, Variations, complete

Slur to b. 136 in A (→GE→FE,FESB)

Slur in b. 135 in EE
..

In EE the L.H. slur is poorly imprinted, as a result of which it ends abruptly under the last demisemiquaver in b. 135. The shape of the slur clearly reveals that the shorter slur was neither intended nor erroneous – it was supposed to end over the wedge under the 1st demisemiquaver in b. 136; however, due to a printing defect, one can see only its left half.

category imprint: Differences between sources

issues: EE inaccuracies

b. 265

composition: Op. 2, Variations, complete

in A

in GE1 (→GE2)

 in FE1, EE & GE3

in FESB
..

The  hairpin is written in A between the staves and begins after the 1st R.H. chord (in Af the bottom arm starts as early as at the beginning of the bar). In GE (→FE,EE) the mark was moved to over the R.H. part, which, in this case, does not significantly influence its meaning. The change was most probably forced by lack of space between the staves; it cannot come from Chopin. The slight change of range in GE1 (→GE2) – the beginning of the mark was moved slightly to the right – was intensified by all subsequent editions, while FESB additionally reversed the direction of the mark, which is a frequent mistake in the first editions of Chopin's pieces. 

category imprint: Differences between sources

issues: Errors in FE , Inaccuracies in GE , Inaccuracies in FE , Placement of markings , Scope of dynamic hairpins , GE revisions , EE inaccuracies , Sign reversal

b. 287

composition: Op. 2, Variations, complete

..

In all sources, the dashes marking the range of the indication from bars 282-283 run continuously to the end of the tutti in bar 290. Except FE1 (→FE2), in which there is a simple octave sign, indicating that the given fragment is to be performed an octave higher, the notation seems to be simplified, since the chordal texture on the 3rd beat of bar 287 makes a performance with added octaves (con 8va) impossible. In the content transcriptions (the versions "edited text") and in the main text we specify this notation accordingly by inserting 8 on the 3rd beat of bar 287.

One can also ponder whether Chopin wanted "con o in", which seems to have been added before a simple octave sign (8va¯ ¯ ¯) in A, to be understood as "in octaves" initially and "an octave higher" from the 3rd beat of bar 287. In other words, it would be a joint instruction on how to perform the entire tutti, and not a description of two possible performances of the first phrase. Chopin would then expect a common-sense approach from the performer, who would have to guess that first, as long as possible, it is con 8va that is valid, and then, from the 3rd beat of bar 287 – in 8va. However, such understanding is contested by the way the indication was used in the Fantasy on Polish Airs, Op. 13, bars 130-148, in a context that rules out such an interpretation – the entire theme, encompassed with the indication, is written there in single notes, hence there are no grounds to assign con 8va to one fragment and in 8va to another.

category imprint: Interpretations within context; Source & stylistic information

issues: Inaccuracies in GE , Inaccuracies in FE , EE inaccuracies , Inaccuracies in A

b. 302

composition: Op. 2, Variations, complete

 after  in A

Long accent under f in GE (→FE1→FE2)

Short accent in EE & FESB
..

The short  mark may be considered an accent associated with the initial  or as a diminuendo hairpin, which, in this context, practically does not influence the meaning of this mark. On the other hand, placing it under the 1st f semiquaver, as it was performed in GE (→FE,EE), must be contrary to the notation of A and Chopin's intention. The differences in the length of the mark in individual editions most probably correspond to the different interpretations of the engravers: the ones who considered it an accent, inserted a short accent (EE and FESB), while diminuendo took the form of a long accent, which is present in GE (→FE1→FE2).

category imprint: Differences between sources

issues: Long accents , Inaccuracies in GE , Inaccuracies in FE , EE inaccuracies