mUltimate Chopin

Op. 2, Variations, complete

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b. 253

composition: Op. 2, Variations, complete

g in AsI, FE & EE3

g in A (→GE→FESB,EE1→EE2
..

The missing  lowering g to g in A and the majority of the editions must be Chopin's mistake, which is proven by g present in AsI (both in the piano and the orchestral part) and in the violas and the bassoon in GEork (→FEork). In addition, the accidental was added, probably by Chopin, in the stage of proofreading FE; it is also in EE3.

category imprint: Differences between sources

issues: EE revisions , Errors of A , Authentic corrections of FE

b. 255

composition: Op. 2, Variations, complete

..

Both in the last L.H. chord and in the R.H. arpeggio on the 4th beat of the bar, neither AsI nor Af nor A (→GE1→FE,EE) contain accidentals before g/g notes in various octaves. Actually, harmonically speaking, g would be possible; however, in this context, it is much more likely that we are dealing with overlooked naturals:

  • after changing the key signature, Chopin was uncertain which were valid – this is proven by numerous unnecessary flats before d, g, a and even e and b in bars 255-259 in AsI; in A there is still a flat before B at the end of bar 255 and before g2 in bar 256;
  • diminished seventh chords belonged to young Chopin's favourite ones.

The decisive argument for g is provided by the orchestral part – there is a g note in the 2nd violins, and the violins could not play g here.

The first edition to add naturals was GE2 (→FESB), 4 accidentals in total raising g1 to g1 in the L.H. and g2, g1 and g to g2, g1 and g in the R.H. The overlooked  to the 2nd demisemiquaver (g3) was added by GE3, in which, however, the accidental to the penultimate demisemiquaver, g, was overlooked.

category imprint: Interpretations within context; Differences between sources

issues: Errors in GE , GE revisions , Errors of A , Last key signature sign

b. 255

composition: Op. 2, Variations, complete

..

As far as the naturals raising e to e in the 2nd half of bar 255 are concerned, in A Chopin was satisfied with accidentals to the L.H. chord (e1) and the 3rd demisemiquaver (e3). The remaining 3 naturals necessary later in the passage were added by GE (→FE,EE).
In EE the  to the L.H. chord, which was placed slightly too low in GE1, was interpreted as a natural raising d1 to d1.
In A the  to e3 is written too low, at the pitch of c3. Such inaccuracies are often to be found in Chopin's autographs, generally – as is the case here – with no influence on the interpretation of the text.

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

issues: Accidentals in different octaves , Inaccuracies in GE , Errors in EE , GE revisions , Accidental below/above the note , Inaccuracies in A

b. 255

composition: Op. 2, Variations, complete

..

In AsI and A, there is a  to B (cautionary?) before the last octave in bar 255. In GE (→FE,EE), another one was added, to B1. In the main text we omit these unjustified accidentals.
At the beginning of bar 256, in the manuscripts there is also an accidental only to the top note of the L.H. octave. A natural to the bottom note was added already by GE (→FE,EE).

category imprint: Differences between sources; Editorial revisions

issues: GE revisions , Cautionary accidentals

b. 256

composition: Op. 2, Variations, complete

No accidental in sources

 over trill suggested by the editors
..

In the main text we add a cautionary  over the trill. In spite of the fact that Chopin considered g notes in a diminished tetrad (on which the 2nd half of the previous bar is based) to be obvious (he did not put naturals to them), in this case he almost certainly did not mean g, which, coupled with an F major chord, would give an impression of temporarily departing from the key of B minor. Taking into account the fact that this key was introduced as a contrast and variety with respect to the previous variations, it is impossible that Chopin would have liked to relativise the tonal awareness. 

category imprint: Editorial revisions