mUltimate Chopin

Op. 2, Variations, complete

Text Compare Notes Sources Description

Issues : Terzverschreibung error

b. 4

composition: Op. 2, Variations, complete

A in A (→GE1→EE1)

A in A (→GE1→EE1)

F in GE2 (→GE3,FESB), FE & EE2 (→EE3)

F in GE2 (→GE3,FESB), FE & EE2 (→EE3)
..

We consider the version of A (→GE1) to be erroneous, which is indicated by the orchestral part – an F in cellos and double basses is both in the later version of AsI and in the voices of GE and FE. The correct version of FE almost certainly resulted from Chopin's correction, probably introduced still into the copy of GE1 serving as the basis for that edition – there are no visible traces of changes in print. The corrections present in GE2 (→GE3,FESB) and EE2 (→EE3) can be considered revisions on the basis of orchestral parts. In the case of GE2, Chopin's intervention is also likely; his participation in the preparation of that edition is generally questionable, yet it cannot be excluded to a limited extent.
In the basic version of AsI, which is an earlier edition of this orchestral introduction, neither of these versions can be used.

category imprint: Differences between sources

issues: EE revisions , Terzverschreibung error , GE revisions , Errors of A , Authentic corrections of FE , Authentic corrections of GE

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. 329

composition: Op. 2, Variations, complete

e1 in AsI

g1 in A (→GE→FE,EE)
..

We consider the version of A (→GE→FE,EE) with g1 as the last semiquaver in the bar to be Chopin's mistake. There are neither musical nor pianistic reasons to modify the scheme of a passage based on repetition of a model six-semiquaver figure in various octaves (cf. analogous figurations in bars 323 and 326), particularly in the third out of four (or even five) repeated figures. Therefore, in the main text we give e1, which is present in AsI.

category imprint: Differences between sources; Editorial revisions

issues: Terzverschreibung error , Errors of A

b. 330

composition: Op. 2, Variations, complete

..

In GE3 two Terzverschreibung mistakes were committed in this bar – g1 instead of e1 on the 2nd semiquaver in the bar, and C instead of E on the 2nd L.H. quaver.

category imprint: Interpretations within context; Differences between sources

issues: Errors in GE , Terzverschreibung error