mUltimate Chopin

Op. 2, Variations, complete

Text Compare Notes Sources Description

Issues : Errors in GE

b. 271-272

composition: Op. 2, Variations, complete

2 wedges, 4 dots in A

5 wedges in GE (→FE,EE)
..

The precise Chopinesque articulation markings – wedges at the beginning of the bar and dots further on – were arbitrarily standardised in GE (→FE,EE). It was the entire finale of the Variations that was subject to this arbitrary unification of staccato markings. According to us, such a decision could have been influenced by both types of staccato intertwining in A, doubly burdensome for the engraver:

  • when deciphering the text, since the differences between the marks are not always obvious at first sight, not to mention discovering the key Chopin followed when choosing one or the other type of marks;
  • when engraving, due to the need to change the die often (or due to the need to develop a page twice, once for dots and subsequently for wedges).

The missing staccato mark over the crotchet in bar 271 is most probably the engraver's mistake.

category imprint: Differences between sources

issues: Errors in GE , GE revisions , Wedges

b. 279

composition: Op. 2, Variations, complete

Wedge in A, contextual interpretation

No mark in GE (→FE,EE)
..

Over the L.H. octave in A there is a staccato dot crossed through with a vertical line. According to us, it was most probably supposed to be a wedge with which Chopin wanted to replace the initial dot. However, in GE (→FE,EE) the correction was understood as a deletion of the mark, which, although possible, we consider less likely.

category imprint: Differences between sources

issues: Errors in GE

b. 280

composition: Op. 2, Variations, complete

2 slurs in A

1 slur in GE (→FE,EE)
..

The missing lower slur must be an oversight by the engraver of GE1. Such multiple slurs were used by Chopin quite rarely, most often in his early pieces – cf. the combination of chords in bar 266 or 295-296, or pairs of octaves in the Concerto in F minor, Op. 21, mov. III, bars 472-480.

category imprint: Differences between sources

issues: Errors in GE

b. 290

composition: Op. 2, Variations, complete

a2-c3 third in AsI & A

Single notes in GE (→FESB,EE1→EE2)

3 thirds in FE & EE3
..

The initial version of AsI and A, with only one a2-c3 third, was additionally depleted by GE (→FESB,EE1→EE2), which did not notice the a2 crotchet at the beginning of bar 291 (it can be difficult to establish the presence of a middle note on ledger lines in Chopin's autographs, although in this case the a2 notehead is quite distinct). While proofreading FE1 (→FE2) Chopin added bottom thirds to the entire three-note motif, which was also taken into account by EE3.

category imprint: Graphic ambiguousness; Differences between sources; Corrections & alterations

issues: Errors in GE , Authentic corrections of FE , Uncertain notes on ledger lines

b. 291-292

composition: Op. 2, Variations, complete

Staccato dot & slur in A

2 wedges in GE (→FE,EE)

Wedge in FESB
..

The version of the editions most probably resulted from revision and a mistake by the engraver of GE1 – after putting legato and the R.H. slur between the staves, there was no space left for the  hairpin and the L.H. slur. He placed the hairpin under the stave and most probably forgot about the slur, which, moreover, was quite inconspicuous in A. In this situation, it is difficult to consider the additional wedge authentic.
FESB overlooked the first wedge.

category imprint: Differences between sources

issues: Errors in GE , GE revisions