Expert: Jim Frimmer - 11/8/2009

Question
Dear Mr. Frimmer,

In the Chopin Prelude Op 28 No 20 in C Minor, the right hand of the last chord in the 3rd measure is sometimes played with G C E-Flat and sometimes with G C E-Natural.  I am interested in finding out how it was originally written by Chopin, and why it is played differently by different pianists.  (I have heard recordings of Horowitz playing it differently than Rubinstein, etc., etc., so I know it can't be a question of technical error.  So why this disagreement between transcriptions, and is there an authoritative voice to say which version was likely Chopin's choice?)

Thank you for any help that you can give me in finding an answer to this question.

Regards,
Michael Nolan

Answer
Michael,
 This is not an easy one to answer as there really isn't a definitive answer.  According to the Chopin Institute edition which is based on the autograph copy of the work, gives the E flat to the last note in the top part.  The E flat is supposed to have been added by Chopin himself in a copy belonging to a pupil (supposedly  this gives no doubt as to Chopin's intentions).  According to the editor of the Chopin Institute Edition the E flat seems to be more appropriate, because the major chord has too harsh and garish effect.  Evidently, Chopin forgot to restore the E flat after the E in the second chord of the bar.

I have heard it played both ways and I have seen it marked differently in other editions.  I would be careful about following too closely what Horowitz does (does he play the E flat), since he was known for doing "surgery" on certain works that he played (he did this many times in his
Liszt playing.

I would tend to agree with the E flat since the Chopin Institute edition is probably the most reliable in terms of authenticity.

Hope this helps.

Jim