mUltimate Chopin

Op. 2, Variations, complete

Text Compare Notes Sources Description

Issues : Errors repeated in GE

b. 231

composition: Op. 2, Variations, complete

..

In A the last two semiquavers in the parts of both hands are written down without any accidentals. Chopin's blatant oversight was corrected only by GE2 (→GE3,FESB), in which the necessary naturals and a cautionary  to e2 were added. In the main text we also add cautionary accidentals to e1 (which is absent in the editions – see the note below) and to a2.

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

issues: GE revisions , Errors of A , Errors repeated in GE , Errors repeated in FE , Errors repeated in EE

b. 257

composition: Op. 2, Variations, complete

f3 in chord in AsI & A

d3 in Af, FE1 (→FE2) & GE2 (→GE3,FESB)

es3 in GE1 (→EE)
..

The version of AsI and A with f3 as the topmost note of the chord on the 2nd beat of the bar is almost certainly erroneous, and it was d3 that was intended by Chopin from the very beginning. It is supported by:

  • d3 here in Af, written almost certainly earlier than A;
  • melodic analogy between the motifs at the beginning of bars 255 and 257 and the ascending sixths, d1-d3-b3 and f1-f2-d3, respectively;
  • d3 in FE1 (→FE2), which, with respect to the erroneous version of GE1 (see below), must have resulted from proofreading, most probably Chopinesque;
  • the natural character of the octave piano position.

What is more, the discussed note is written in A inaccurately, hence in GE1 (→EE) it was reproduced as e3. In GE2 (→GE3,FESB) it was changed to d3, which could have been one of the changes suggested by Chopin, if we were to assume that he took part in the editing of GE2.

category imprint: Differences between sources

issues: Terzverschreibung error , GE revisions , Errors in the number of ledger lines , Errors of A , Inaccurate note pitch in A , Authentic corrections of FE , Inaccuracies in A , Errors repeated in GE , Errors repeated in EE

b. 266

composition: Op. 2, Variations, complete

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None of the sources contains a  restoring a2, which is Chopin's patent oversight.

category imprint: Interpretations within context; Editorial revisions

issues: Omissions to cancel alteration , Errors of A , Errors repeated in GE , Errors repeated in FE , Errors repeated in EE

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

b. 267

composition: Op. 2, Variations, complete

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In A (→GE→FE,EE) the penultimate note is prolonged to the value of a quaver, which must be a mistake in this context.

category imprint: Interpretations within context; Editorial revisions

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