mUltimate Chopin

Op. 2, Variations, complete

Text Compare Notes Sources Description

Issues : Rhythmic errors

b. 77

composition: Op. 2, Variations, complete

Crotchet & quaver g2 in AsI

Extended crotchet & semiquaver in remaining sources
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As was the case with b. 69, in the majority of the sources (except FESB) the syncopated g2 crotchet is prolonged with two dots, which leads to an excess of rhythmic values – 5 quavers in the bar. The mistake was noticed and corrected (awkwardly in terms of graphics) only in FESB.

category imprint: Interpretations within context; Differences between sources

issues: Rhythmic errors , Errors of A , Errors repeated in GE , Errors repeated in FE , Errors repeated in EE

b. 89

composition: Op. 2, Variations, complete

..

As was the case with b. 69, in most sources (except FESB) the syncopated c2 crotchet is prolonged with two dots, which results in an excessive number of rhythmic values – 5 quavers in the bar. The mistake was noticed and corrected (graphically awkwardly) only in FESB.

category imprint: Interpretations within context; Differences between sources

issues: Rhythmic errors , Errors of A , Errors repeated in GE , Errors repeated in FE , Errors repeated in EE

b. 125-127

composition: Op. 2, Variations, complete

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In AsI the following quavers: g3 in b. 125, c4 and e4 in b. 126 and b2, e2 and d2 in the 1st volta of b. 127 are written as crotchets – they lack quaver flags. The first two of those mistakes (next to g3 and c4) were repeated in A. The editions contain the right text. 

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

issues: GE revisions , Rhythmic errors , Errors of A

b. 261-262

composition: Op. 2, Variations, complete

No orchestral inserts in AsI & GE (→EE1→EE2, →FESB)

Progression of thirds in Af, contextual interpretation

Progression of thirds in A, contextual interpretation

Progression of sixths in FE & EE3

Complemented FE version suggested by the editors

Modified FE version, our alternative suggestion
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All three source versions of the text written in smaller notes are rather a harmonic complement to the solo part when "performed without accompaniment" than an actual replica of the string voices. At the same time, the earlier versions of Af and A are closer to the orchestral part than the later one, placed in a higher register. All versions of notation also contain mistakes or rhythmic simplifications; we reproduce the clearly erroneous ones only in the content transcription (version "transcript").
To the main text we adopt the supplemented version of FE (repeated also in EE3), which is evidence of Chopin's latest interaction with the solo part urtext.
Alternatively, assuming the erroneous rhythmic value of the d1-b1 sixth, we suggest a modified version of FE1. The versions of Af and A are almost identical in terms of sound; the former allows us to locate the mistake in the vague rhythmic version of A in bar 261 – the a-c1 quaver is supposed to be a semiquaver. The missing orchestral inserts in AsI are due to its working, unfinished nature, while in GE – probably due to the vague notation of A.

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

issues: GE revisions , Rhythmic errors , Errors of A , Authentic corrections of FE

b. 267

composition: Op. 2, Variations, complete

Rhythm in AsI

Rhythm in Af & A (→GE→FE,EE)

Our alternative suggestion

Another our suggestion
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In the majority of the sources, the R.H. text on the 1st beat of the bar contains a rhythmic mistake. However, we give the text in this form, since it is impossible to say which elements are written incorrectly and therefore which rhythm Chopin meant. In the main text we give the version of AsI, since it is undoubtedly authentic, rhythmically correct and natural, both aesthetically and pianistically. However, as Chopin did not repeat the version of AsI, he could have wanted to change it then. The alternative versions are two possible reconstructions of a rhythm that could have been intended by Chopin.

category imprint: Interpretations within context; Differences between sources

issues: Rhythmic errors , Errors of A , Errors repeated in GE , Errors repeated in FE , Errors repeated in EE