Ties versus slurs - help needed

[chriswarren]

Am currently working on Chopin's Barcarolle - and round the top of page 3 there are some repeated chords in the left hand with a tie or a slur linking the top notes.

How do you tell if it's a tie (i.e. I should hold the top note) or a slur (legato, slight emphasis on first chord)?

[BoliverAllmon]

The only difference is if it is the same note you hold it out, if it is a different note then you play legato.

boliver

[Hmoll]

Page three of what edition?
Why don't you give us a measure number, so we know where you're talking about?

BoliverAllmon's explanation is  correct for the most part, but not always, so we need to know the specific example.

[chriswarren]

Sorry, Bar number 23 in Schirmer's edition...

[Hmoll]

If you are referring to the A# Cx E# Cx  (ie A sharp major) chords in the left hand, they are neither legato or tied because my edition indicates a legato marking with a staccato over the two chords. This makes it a mezzo staccato which is detached, but not as short as a regular staccato.

[chriswarren]

Thanks for that - there's no staccato marking in my edition - but I do feel they play better as mezzo staccato.

Never did like Schirmer's editions!

[BoliverAllmon]

I like Schirmer's price compared to others, but not the happiest with the quality. I guess I got what I paid for.

boliver