mUltimate Chopin

Op. 2, Variations, complete

Text Compare Notes Sources Description

Issues : Inaccuracies in A

b. 45-46

composition: Op. 2, Variations, complete

Different accents in A, literal reading

Long accents in A, possible interpretation

Short accents in GE1 (→FE,GE2→FESB)

Short accent in b. 46 in GE3

Vertical accent in b. 46 in EE
..

It is uncertain whether Chopin meant the accents over the B1-B and B-b octaves to be long or short, since despite a strictly analogous situation, in A the marks differ in length. In the main text we suggest long accents, since the accent of A in b. 46 can be considered long – it is also the accent over e2 in the R.H. that is shorter than its counterpart in b. 45. The version of A, when interpreted literally, and the short accents of GE1 (→FE,GE2→FESB) can be, however, regarded as equivalent variants. In the latter version, the difference between the L.H. accents (short) and the R.H. accents (long) constitutes a detail corresponding to the difference between the length of the accentuated L.H. () and R.H. () notes as well as to the difference between the liveliness and nature of the L.H. motifs and the R.H. top voice.
The omission of the first accent in EE and GE3 could be ascribed to the engravers' inattention or their reluctance to obscure the image with a mark on the stave, between the notes. The change of the accent font in EE is a specific manner of that edition.

category imprint: Graphic ambiguousness; Differences between sources

issues: Long accents , EE revisions , Inaccuracies in GE , Errors in EE , Errors in GE , Inaccuracies in A

b. 45-46

composition: Op. 2, Variations, complete

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A includes sharps only next to the top notes of the octaves on the penultimate quaver in the bar. The patent inaccuracy was corrected in GE (→FE,EE).

category imprint: Interpretations within context; Differences between sources

issues: Accidentals in different octaves , GE revisions , Inaccuracies in A

b. 47-48

composition: Op. 2, Variations, complete

..

In the L.H. part Chopin wrote accidentals in A only to the top notes of the octaves – e in b. 47, e1, b, f in b. 48. All the necessary accidentals were added in GE (→FE,EE,FESB).
In the main text we add cautionary naturals to f-f1 in b. 47.

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

issues: Accidentals in different octaves , GE revisions , Inaccuracies in A

b. 49-51

composition: Op. 2, Variations, complete

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In A the bottom notes of the B1-B octave in b. 49-50 and the B1-B octave in b. 51 are devoid of accidentals. They were already added in GE1 and repeated in the remaining editions.

category imprint: Interpretations within context; Differences between sources

issues: Accidentals in different octaves , GE revisions , Inaccuracies in A

b. 49

composition: Op. 2, Variations, complete

..

In A there is no  raising e2 to e2 at the beginning of the 5th semiquaver triplet. The accidental was added in GE (→FE,EE). On the 4th beat of the bar, there are no accidentals in the sources, which, however, cannot be considered a mistake in this piece – cf. b. 39-40.

category imprint: Interpretations within context; Differences between sources

issues: Accidentals in different octaves , GE revisions , Inaccuracies in A