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The Secret Life of Musical Notation: defying interpretive traditions

Chapter Four Audio Clips

4.6 - F. Chopin: Ballade in A-flat Major, Op. 47 - mm. 116-11

4.7 - F. Chopin: Mazurka in D Major, Op. 33, no. 2 - mm. 58-67

This audio clips features pedal applications as found in the Breitkopf & Härtel Edition of 1838

  4.8 - F. Chopin: Sonata in b minor, Op. 58 - I. Allegro maestoso - mm. 61-65
1) This audio file demonstrates shortened pedaling, as indicated in most editions.
2) This audio file demonstrates the release symbols as indicating syncopated pedaling

4.12 - F. Chopin: Fantaisie in f minor, Op. 49 - mm. 25-28

This video shows in slow motion how the rests prescribed by Chopin intervene to facilitate the organization of groups whose layout cannot be physically connected. Long pedals encompass entire half measures and render these breaks inaudible, preserving the aural integrity of the line.

1) The group that starts in measure 25 concludes on the downbeat of measure 26.

2) The rest that follows this downbeat marks the beginning of a new group, physically manageable in one gesture until the third beat of measure 27.

3) Here another rest occurs, indicating again the necessity to lift the hand and move to the G/B-flat chord with fingers 1 and 3, setting up a position that is nearly an octave higher.

4) The same concept applies to the next beat, in which the chord G-sharp/B-natural is played by fingers 2 and 4, making it necessary to set up a new position for the octave A – C – A.

4.13 - F. Chopin: Nocturne in B Major, Op. 32, no. 1 - mm. 23-24

This video shows in slow motion how the rests prescribed by Chopin intervene to facilitate the organization of groups whose layout cannot be physically connected. Long pedals encompass entire half measures and render these breaks inaudible, preserving the aural integrity of the line.

4.14 - F. Chopin: Fantaisie in f minor, Op. 49 - mm. 37-40

This audio clip features pedal markings as notated in Chopin’s hand in the Breitkopf & Härtel Stichvorlage

  4.16 - F. Chopin: Scherzo in c-sharp minor, Op. 39 - mm. 627-649
1) This audio file demonstrates the shortened pedaling as marked in the Troupenas edition, 1840
2) This audio file demonstrates the lengthened pedaling as marked in the Wessel edition, 1840

4.19 - F. Chopin: Barcarolle in F-sharp Major, Op. 60 - mm. 1-3

This audio clip illustrates Seymour Bernstein’s interpretation of Chopin’s pedaling

4.24 - F. Chopin: Mazurka in f-sharp minor, Op. 6, no. 1 - mm. 1-9
4.25 - F. Chopin: Sonata in b minor, Op. 58 - III. Largo - mm. 28-30

4.26a - F. Chopin: Sonata in b minor, Op. 58 - III. Largo - mm. 38-41

This video shows the execution of Chopin's original pedaling by preserving the writing as indicated

4.26b - F. Chopin: Sonata in b minor, Op. 58 - III. Largo - mm. 38-41

This video shows the introduction of finger pedaling for the left hand while executing Chopin's original pedaling

4.31 - F. Chopin: Scherzo in b-flat minor, Op. 31 - mm. 253-268
4.33 - F. Chopin: Ballade in f minor, Op. 52 - mm. 80-92