These two volumes are essential not only for editorial purposes but also for conducting basic research into the composer’s oeuvre. The unquestionable progress in Chopin studies in recent years has resulted in the publication of two major reference works by Kobylańska (in 1977) and by Chomiński and Turło (in 1990). Due also to the necessity of publishing the National Edition in an “urtext” form, Polish Chopin studies have faced new tasks, the most important of them being the question of historical attribution-i.e., establishing the most precise possible chronology of works and publications on the basis of extensive research.
There has been a need for a modern catalogue of the composer’s works-like those of Schmieder, Kochel or Kinsky. The current study serves to enrich both the documentary aspect of Chopin studies and editorial work on his compositions. The research into the chronology of Chopin works has recently undergone extensive development in Poland as well as in English-speaking countries. In addition, the research also enables the author to correct certain dates, which were attributed erroneously, and to clarify inaccuracies in historical interpretations that have been perpetuated in Chopin studies until now. her earlier publication co-authored with Chomiński, The Catalogue of Fryderyk Chopin’s Works 1991) and the work conducted by Jan Ekier (1974) and Jeffrey Kallberg (1983) allow for compiling extensive documentation of the dates of composition and publication of works belonging to the four genres. The author’s earlier research of this subject (i.e. Chronological lists of pieces belonging to the four genres occupy a central place in the article the lists include information about the genesis of these works as well as qualitative characterizations of their sources and first editions. These sources are comprised of: (1) undated autographs (2) first editions (3) information from Chopin’s early publishers and biographers (4) secondary information about Chopin’s early publishers and biographers (secondary to the sources mentioned in the previous point). The second group of uncertain material includes sources which enable one to approximate the dates of some of the compositions. The first group (definite information) contains: (1) dated autographs (2) Chopin’s correspondence (3) press notices regarding the publication and performance of the compositions (4) testimonies by members of the composer’s close circle (primarily information from Julian Fontana, Ludwika Jedrzejewiczowa, Oskar Kolberg and Chopin’s pupils). The author classifies and criticizes the sources, dividing them into two main groups. The core of this study consists in a general discussion of the sources of the early sonata-forms, nocturnes, polonaises and mazurkas the article also presents the current state of research into the chronology of composition and first editions of works belonging to the four genres. an individual work by Chopin) must be preceded by in-depth documental and monographic studies.
The author contradicts a stereotype of modern Chopin research according to which the investigation of a particular, basic issue (i.e. For many years after the composer’s death the same traits characterized information about the sources and this fact resulted in many false hypotheses. The paucity of primary sources is a serious impediment in the study of Chopin’s music extant sources are often incomplete and scattered. Sonatas, Nocturnes, Polonaises and Mazurkas: A Documentary Source Study