mUltimate Chopin

Op. 2, Variations, complete

Text Compare Notes Sources Description

Issues : Enharmonic corrections

b. 174

composition: Op. 2, Variations, complete

..

In AsI the top note of the 2nd L.H. chord is written down as f1. In this manuscript, there are no more accidentals in this bar, which is a patent mistake, resulting from the draft nature of AsI. In A, Chopin replaced f1 with e1 and remembered to restore d1; however, he overlooked the fact that it was also e1 on the 4th quaver of the bar that should be restored. This mistake was already corrected in GE1. Consequently, the notation is correct in all editions.

category imprint: Interpretations within context; Differences between sources

issues: Omissions to cancel alteration , Errors resulting from corrections , Errors of A , Enharmonic corrections

b. 331

composition: Op. 2, Variations, complete

..

In AsI and A there is no  to the 2nd semiquaver (E), while in A also no  to the 13th semiquaver (f). The accidentals were added in GE (→FE,EE). In AsI Chopin did not forget , since he enharmonically wrote the preceding note as f. In the main text we add a cautionary  to the 4th semiquaver (G).

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

issues: Accidentals in different octaves , GE revisions , Enharmonic corrections

b. 370

composition: Op. 2, Variations, complete

g2 in A (→GE→FESB,EE1→EE2)

g2 in AsI, FE & EE3
..

The version of A and of the majority of the editions with g2 as the 12th semiquaver must be erroneous – Chopin forgot to cancel the  put to g2, the first note in the bar. This is evidenced by:

  • g2 present in AsI; admittedly, there is no  in that version, yet it is not necessary, since the 1st semiquaver in the bar is written down as f2, and not g2;
  • a natural added to this note in FE, probably by Chopin;
  • g1 appearing twice on the 2nd beat of the bar in the L.H. – if Chopin wanted to have g2 in the R.H. in spite of this, he would not have hesitated to mark it clearly.

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

issues: Errors resulting from corrections , Errors of A , Enharmonic corrections , Authentic corrections of FE