mUltimate Chopin

Op. 2, Variations, complete

Text Compare Notes Sources Description

Issues : GE revisions

b. 337

composition: Op. 2, Variations, complete

No indication in AsI & FE

Instrumantation tip in A (→GE→EE,FESB)

Instrumantation tip in A (→GE→EE,FESB)

Instrumantation tip after A (→GE→EE,FESB)
..

In the main text we provide the indication concerning instrumentation written as a full word, as it is in A. In GE (→EE,FESB) the Fl. abbreviation was used, which we do not regard as an independent variant. The absence of the indication in FE could be attributed to the changes entered into the basis for this edition – see the adjacent note. The possibility that Chopin could have omitted this piece of information on purpose is less likely – although in the version of FE the bottom voice of the R.H. octaves does not correspond to any instrumental part, the top voice remains an equivalent of the flutes. One can even assume that this indication is all the more justified, since in this version it was the flute voice that was reinforced at the expense of the other instruments that were not included in the piano reduction.

category imprint: Differences between sources

issues: Errors in FE , Errors resulting from corrections , GE revisions , Authentic corrections of FE

b. 338

composition: Op. 2, Variations, complete

Notation in A

Notation in GE (→FE,EE)
..

In A the division of the L.H. part into voices is irregular and at times difficult to implement in print. It seems to have resulted from introducing changes (not entirely thought out) to the notation of the first two quavers – Chopin probably started from one-part notation , out of which he then separated the two top voices on the 1st beat. In this situation, the simpler version of GE (→FE,EE) is to be considered an improvement, although it is uncertain whether it comes from Chopin. Anyways, the composer did not question it while correcting the last quaver in FE – see the next note.

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

issues: Inaccuracies in GE , Corrections in A , GE revisions

b. 339

composition: Op. 2, Variations, complete

..

In A and in the majority of the editions the  restoring e2 is missing. Chopin's mistake, patent in this harmonic context, and typical of him, is proven by the  in the piano part of AsI and by the orchestral part – a respective accidental is in the part of the first clarinet. A flat was added only in GE3.

category imprint: Interpretations within context; Differences between sources; Editorial revisions

issues: Omissions to cancel alteration , GE revisions , Errors of A

b. 339-340

composition: Op. 2, Variations, complete

..

In the main text we add cautionary accidentals – a  to e1 in bar 339 and to e2 in bar 340 and a  to g2 in bar 339. Such accidentals were also added in the first editions:

  • in EE a  to g2 in bar 340,
  • in FESB a  to e2 and a  to g2 in bar 340,
  • in GE3 a  to e1 in bar 339 and to e2 in bar 340.

category imprint: Differences between sources; Editorial revisions

issues: EE revisions , GE revisions , Revisions in FESB

b. 339

composition: Op. 2, Variations, complete

in AsI & A

No ornament in GE (→FE,EE)
..

It is difficult to say how the  mark was overlooked by the editions. The most likely explanation would be an oversight by the engraver – the mark in A is small and squeezed in between the beam and the Clarin[etto] indication – if it were not for the fact that this ornament is absent in the sources of the orchestral part, in AsI and in GEork (→FEork). In the main text we give the published version, since:

  • Chopin could have removed  or accepted its absence in GE1, which was probably controlled by him.
  • Chopin could have accepted the absence of the ornament in FE1, which he certainly proofread (probably both the copy of GE1 that served as the basis and the edition itself). This is all the more likely, since in the two preceding bars the composer introduced an important change to the R.H. part.

The version with an ornament, undoubtedly authentic, can be considered an equal variant.

category imprint: Differences between sources

issues: Errors in GE , GE revisions , Authentic corrections of GE