mUltimate Chopin

(Op. 4), Sonata in C minor, Mvt IV

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Pitch

b. 6

composition: (Op. 4), Sonata in C minor, Mvt IV

A in A

A in GE (→FE,EE,IE)
..

The version featuring A is absolutely possible, harmonically speaking; however, it seems much more likely that Chopin forgot to write a  (as in the previous bar). It is supported by the regular, chromatic bass sequence, contrasting with the chromatic sequence of the topmost R.H. notes (e-f-f-g); above all, it is supported by the flats in two analogous bars as this theme returns – bar 189 and 372. Considering the above analysis, in the main text we provide the version of the editions, featuring A.

category imprint: Differences between sources

issues: Omissions to cancel alteration , GE revisions , Errors of A

b. 7

composition: (Op. 4), Sonata in C minor, Mvt IV

f2, f1, f in A

f2, f1, f in GE (→FE,EE,IE)

f2 (), f1, f suggested by the editors
..

In the 2nd half of the bar A does not contain any accidentals; therefore, the 1st R.H. quaver is to be read as f2, the last one as f1, while the respective L.H. chord note as f. The sharps raising all those f notes to f present in GE (→FE,EE,IE) were arbitrarily added by the reviser of GE, who assumed that Chopin overlooked them. However, it does not seem possible at all, since this pattern appears two more times further on, in bar 190 and 373, always in the same form in A, without any accidentals. It is also worth emphasising that unlike in the previous two bars (see the notes on bars 5 and 6), in this case the oversight would not concern a cancelled alteration, which is one of the most frequent mistakes by Chopin, but the alteration itself, which was extremely rare. Therefore, in the main text we provide the version with f, as the only authentic one; we only add a cautionary  to the first of the discussed notes (f2).

category imprint: Differences between sources; Editorial revisions

issues: GE revisions

b. 10

composition: (Op. 4), Sonata in C minor, Mvt IV

..

In A the last quaver was probably added later, while the irregular group marking was changed from 9 to 10.

category imprint: Corrections & alterations

issues: Corrections in A , Main-line changes

b. 11

composition: (Op. 4), Sonata in C minor, Mvt IV

..

GE (→EE1,IE) has  before the highest note of the 2nd R.H. chord, which if read literally would give e2. The error probably occurred during proofreading – the  should have been added before the top note of the next chord. The mistake was corrected in FE and EE2.

category imprint: Interpretations within context; Differences between sources

issues: EE revisions , Errors in GE , FE revisions , Errors repeated in EE , Errors repeated in IE

b. 12-14

composition: (Op. 4), Sonata in C minor, Mvt IV

..

As in many other places, Chopin omitted accidentals to one of the notes of an octave if the pitch of the other one had already been defined. In this case, it concerns the top notes of both chords in bar 12 and the second chord in bar 14. The necessary accidentals were added in GE (→FE,EE,IE).
See also the adjacent note.

category imprint: Interpretations within context; Differences between sources

issues: Accidentals in different octaves , GE revisions , Inaccuracies in A