Piano Forum

Pages: [1] Go Down

Topic: How to play the Turn in Chopin Prelude Op. 28 - 4? (Read 31527 times)

lars_o

PS Silver Member
Jr. Member
Posts: 30

How to play the Turn in Chopin Prelude Op. 28 - 4?

on: January 29, 2011, 12:25:48 PM

I'm working on this prelude and there is this turn in measure 16 which in my (Henle) edition has a double-sharp accidental in parentheses printed below it (see attached image). I'm unsure how this is supposed to be played:
First of all does it apply to the A# or to the G?
Since the double sharp is below the turn symbol I guess it applies to the lower auxiliary note.
So if it applies to the A#, and I read the double-shap correctly, the lower auxiliary note would be A-natural (G raised by two half notes) that could mean the sequence should be A#-B-A#-A-A#.
If it applies to the G, I wouldn't think the double sharp applies to the upper note which is already raised once to A# and would become B making the sequence B-G-F#-G. Which seems really strange. So I think it must apply to the A#.

It would be great if someone who knows this a little better could confirm this or help me out with the correct interpretation of this sequence.

Thanks a lot!
Lars

chopin_28-4-M16.jpg (74.13 kB, 639x318 - viewed 1913 times.)

Logged

gyzzzmo

PS Silver Member
Sr. Member
Posts: 2209

Re: How to play the Turn in Chopin Prelude Op. 28 - 4?

Reply #1 on: January 29, 2011, 12:52:28 PM

A# B A# A A# -> G

And i dont know why it could apply to the G, because the figure should be right of the G in that case

Logged

1+1=11

stevebob

PS Silver Member
Sr. Member
Posts: 1133

Re: How to play the Turn in Chopin Prelude Op. 28 - 4?

Reply #2 on: January 29, 2011, 01:11:42 PM

lars, I think your confusion comes from not identifying the notes of the turn. The double-sharp sign does indeed refer to G, but to the G that is the lower auxiliary of turn rather than the crotchet G an octave higher that follows the turn.

As gyzzzmo said, the correct notes for the turn are:

B
A♯
G double sharp
A♯

Logged

What passes you ain't for you.

lars_o

PS Silver Member
Jr. Member
Posts: 30

Re: How to play the Turn in Chopin Prelude Op. 28 - 4?

Reply #3 on: January 29, 2011, 03:54:34 PM

Thanks!

@gyzzzmo, I though it was possible for a turn sign to also appear to the left of the note that it applies to, but I now realize that there simply doesn't seem to be such a thing. I guess I just assumed this because the absolute distance of the turn sign to the G is smaller that its distance to the A#. Thus I jumped to the conclusin that it may apply to the G :-)

I listened to a few version of this piece I found on youtube and there were one or two that seemed play the turn as just 4 notes (like stevebob said) and other used five like gyzzzmo said.

After re-reading a bit about the notation, since the turn sign is not directly above the A# it would appear to me as though the five-note version is more correct although the four-note version is easier to do rhythmically. Do you have any thoughts on that?

Logged

stevebob

PS Silver Member
Sr. Member
Posts: 1133

Re: How to play the Turn in Chopin Prelude Op. 28 - 4?

Reply #4 on: January 29, 2011, 04:57:42 PM

Either of these is fine:

28-4.gif (4.39 kB, 582x77 - viewed 2890 times.)

Logged

What passes you ain't for you.

pianowolfi

PS Silver Member
Sr. Member
Posts: 5654

Re: How to play the Turn in Chopin Prelude Op. 28 - 4?

Reply #5 on: January 29, 2011, 07:00:17 PM

Quote from: stevebob on January 29, 2011, 04:57:42 PM

Either of these is fine:

Yes

And if you wish listen to this, it's wonderful:

Logged

lars_o

PS Silver Member
Jr. Member
Posts: 30

Re: How to play the Turn in Chopin Prelude Op. 28 - 4?

Reply #6 on: January 29, 2011, 08:05:54 PM

Stevebob, that's marvelous. Much appreciated!

Logged

stevebob

PS Silver Member
Sr. Member
Posts: 1133

Re: How to play the Turn in Chopin Prelude Op. 28 - 4?

Reply #7 on: January 29, 2011, 08:18:51 PM

Glad I could help out, lars.

Logged

What passes you ain't for you.

lars_o

PS Silver Member
Jr. Member
Posts: 30

Re: How to play the Turn in Chopin Prelude Op. 28 - 4?

Reply #8 on: February 05, 2011, 07:26:06 PM

This piece is also featured in a really nice TED talk by Benjamin Zander
https://www.ted.com/talks/benjamin_zander_on_music_and_passion.html

Logged

Sign-up to post reply

Pages: [1] Go Up

For more information about this topic, click search below!

Piano Street Magazine:
Happy 150th Birthday, Maurice Ravel!

March 7 2025, marks the 150th birthday of Maurice Ravel. Piano Street presents a collection of material and links to resources for you to enjoy in order to commemorate the great French composer. Read more

Piano Forum

Topic: How to play the Turn in Chopin Prelude Op. 28 - 4? (Read 31527 times)

Piano Street Magazine:Happy 150th Birthday, Maurice Ravel!

Piano Street Magazine:
Happy 150th Birthday, Maurice Ravel!