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Fingering

b. 208

composition: Op. 2, Variations, complete

No fingering in A (→GE1FE,EE)

Fingering in GE2 (→GE3,FESB)

..

The authenticity of the fingering of GE2 cannot be entirely ruled out; however, a few combinations contrary to the Chopinesque fingering confirmed by other pieces are an argument against this possibility (see bars 55-58). In the case of the digits added in this variation, it is not the digits themselves but the selection of notes that are provided with them that could be questioned – the use of the 1-2 fingering combination on all dyads is as obvious as the use of the 5th finger on the even, top semiquavers, hence it is surprising that they were treated differently. The same objection could be raised in the second place in which the fingering was added – in bar 230

category imprint: Differences between sources

issues: GE revisions

b. 230

composition: Op. 2, Variations, complete

No fingering in A (→GE1FE,EE)

Fingering in GE2 (→GE3,FESB)

..

The authenticity of the fingering added by GE2 (→GE3,FESB), regardless of it being clearly accurate, seems questionable – see bar 208. The fact that the fingering was added in this very bar could be explained by the urge to remind about this indication at the beginning of a page, which in the case of GE starts from this bar. 

category imprint: Differences between sources

issues: GE revisions

b. 298-301

composition: Op. 2, Variations, complete

Fingering in AsI

No fingering in A (→GEFE,EE)

..

In the main text we include, in a variant form (in brackets), the fingering pencilled by Chopin into AsI. Even if Chopin consciously abandoned it while preparing the Variations for print, according to us, it has a similar value as the fingering entered into teaching copies.

category imprint: Differences between sources; Editorial revisions

b. 313-314

composition: Op. 2, Variations, complete

3 fingering digits in AsI

4 fingering digits in A

3 digits in GE (→EE,FE1FE2)

No fingering in FESB

..

This note concerns the 4 fingering digits at the end of bar 313 and on the 1st beat of bar 314, whose interpretation in the principal sources does not raise any difficulties – excluding the digit over the 1st semiquaver in bar 314, which we discuss separately.
In AsI the fingering starts from the beginning of bar 314, whereby the first 2 digits were crossed out. The digits over e2 and d2 were altered and are poorly legible; however, Chopin most probably opted for 4-5, as it is in the remaining sources.
The missing '1' digit in the sources could have been caused by its smaller size in A, as a result of which it looks like an insignificant spot. The fact that FESB does not include any fingering digit in the R.H. most probably resulted from the engraver's inattention.

category imprint: Graphic ambiguousness; Differences between sources

issues: Errors in GE , Inaccuracies in A ,

b. 314

composition: Op. 2, Variations, complete

No fingering in AsI & FESB

5 w A (literal reading→GE1GE2,FE,EE)

3 in A (possible interpretation) & GE3

..

The fingering digit written in A could be interpreted twofold: as a '5', which is more graphically likely, or as a '3', which seems more natural, pianistically speaking. The source of the problem was the will to fit in the digit (apparently added later) under the word loco, ending the octave sign, which forced Chopin to write this digit almost horizontally; consequently, the resulting unnatural shape hampers the identification. The majority of the sources include a '5', whereas in the main text, we suggest a '3', due to practical reasons; it was also GE3 that considered this digit to be right. Such a solution is also supported by AsI, in which one can see deleted digits over the first two notes in the bar, most probably 5-4. In FESB both this digit and the adjacent ones were most probably overlooked (see the previous note).

The digit '3' added in pencil in our copy of GE2 is of no source value.

category imprint: Graphic ambiguousness; Differences between sources

issues: Errors in FE , GE revisions , Inaccuracies in A