We owe Chopin a debt...
His music allowed us to survive the worst moments, and in the periods of hope extols Polish culture all over the world. We owe it to the author to publish his work in the form he intended. This is the goal of the National Edition: to pay off a Nation`s debt to Chopin.
Professor Jan Ekier
The NATIONAL EDITION is the first source-critical edition of Chopin`s complete works based on the entire body of available sources.
The sources have been analysed with the use of up-to-date scientific methodology.
The objective of the National Edition is to present Chopin`s output in its authentic form.
Three basic characteristics distinguish the National Edition from other edition`s of Chopin`s works. It is:
Based on sources originated from the composer, mainly autographs, copies of autographs and first editions with the composer`s corrections, and pupils` copies with Chopin`s annotations. In cases when original sources were lacking, the closest possible materials were used. The collection of source materials was a very laborious task, which took years of effort. The editors have now at their disposal originals or photocopies of practically all-possible source materials.
The sources have been thoroughly analysed to verify their authenticity and examine their relations. Only an extensive analysis of the variety of materials, not just reconstruction of one or a few sources, can uncover the composer`s musical intentions. The characteristics of sources, the links and discrepancies between them as well as the reasons for particular editorial decisions have been discussed in the Source Commentaries.
Beside Chopin`s fingering, it includes, in different typeface, the fingering used in contemporary concert practice. The Performance Commentaries explain the elements of the score that might be unclear to a contemporary performer. The Performance Commentary appended to each volume includes: the realisation of ornaments, comments on pedal markings (the original markings sometimes are inadequate, due to the difference in sound between pianos used in Chopin`s times and modern pianos), suggestions as to the "harmonic legato" (a performance technique often used by Chopin and now forgotten).
The Foundation for the National Edition of the Works of Fryderyk Chopin was established in 1998, by Professor Jan Ekier.
Professor Ekier has conceived the general idea of the National Edition and is the author of the Edition`s fundamentals,
such as the research methodology, classification of works into series and volumes, chronological list and numbering of Chopin`s
works, and the evaluation of the sources. The National Edition is an urtext, i.e. a source-based, critical edition of Chopin`s
complete works, prepared with the use of up-to-date scientific methodology. The Foundation`s objective is to complete and
promote the National Edition of Fryderyk Chopin`s Complete Works.
A modern Internet platform presenting all the available sources of the works of Fryderyk Chopin. Developed by Paweł Kamiński, editor of the National Edition, in co-operation with the editorial team of the Fryderyk Chopin Institute as part of the Digital Heritage programme. This application has been especially designed to enable browsing, analysing and comparing digitalized […]
At the end of December 2021, the DUX publishing house released a CD with previously unpublished archival recordings of Jan Ekier recorded by Polish Radio in 1954-1978. The album includes works by Fryderyk Chopin and Karol Szymanowski. The project is supported by the Ministry of Culture and National Heritage of the Republic of Poland by […]
16th October 2019 – Robert Schumann Hochschule Dusseldorf Janusz Olejniczak – piano Programme: Fryderyk Chopin Lento con gran espressione WN 37 Nocturne E Minor WN 23 Nocturne C Minor Op. 48 No. 1 6 Mazurkas Polonaise A flat Major Op. 53 Polonaise A Major Op. 40 No. 1 Ballade G Minor op. 23 Scherzo B […]
1st October 2019, Ostrava Fakulta umění Ostravské univerzity at 6:00 p.m. Performers: Marcin Zdunik – cello Aleksander Dębicz – piano Programme: “Bach Stories” – improvisation on theme from Bach’s works “IMPROmptu” – improvisation on theme from Chopin’s works Co-operation: Fakulta umění Ostravské univerzity Projekt je financován z prostředků Ministerstva Kultury a Národního Dědictví Polské Republiky v […]
The Foundation for the National Edition of the Chopin’s Works invites all young pianists to Lusławice for Academy of Historical Pianos between April 29 and May 5, 2018. The course is intended for pupils of secondary music schools who are older than 16 years of age and students and graduates of higher music schools. The […]
A modern Internet platform presenting all the available sources of the works of Fryderyk Chopin. Developed by Paweł Kamiński, editor of the National Edition, in co-operation with the editorial team of the Fryderyk Chopin Institute as part of the Digital Heritage programme. This application has been especially designed to enable browsing, analysing and comparing digitalized […]
CD recording with the whole set of Chopin’s chamber music by Jan Ekier & Paweł Kamiński (NE) received award of the Spanish music magazine ‘Scherzo’. Performers: Agnieszka Przemyk-Bryła – piano, Tomasz Strahl – cello, Konstanty Andrzej Kulka – violine Publishers: DUX & Foundation for the National Edition od the Chopin’s Works
The new recording of the whole Chopin’s Chamber Music based on the National Edition by Jan Ekier realised at the Krzysztof Penderecki European Centre for Music in Lusławice, 12-14 September 2014 Agnieszka Przemyk-Bryła (piano) Tomasz Strahl (cello) Konstanty Andrzej Kulka (violin) Trio in G minor Op. 8 for piano, cello and violin Introduction and Polonaise […]
The Monograph of Professor Jan Ekier by Aneta Teichman in English version is just on sale! Jan Ekier died in Warsaw on 15 August 2014 at the age of nearly 101 years. The monograph devoted to the professor has become today the summary of his beautiful and full of achievements life. This is the first […]
Since 2012 the whole set of the National Edition by Jan Ekier is available in China. The complete works of Fryderyk Chopin (37 volumes) have been published by Shanghai Music Publishing House in Chinese version. Between 26.11 and 4.12.2013 the Chinese version of the National Edition was presented in Shanghai, Nanjing, Xiamen and Hangzhou: Prof. Paweł […]
Thursday, 17 October 2013, 19:00 – Kungliga Musikhogskolan in Stockholm Agnieszka Przemyk-Bryła – piano Tomasz Strahl – cello Bartosz Cajler – violin Progremme: F. Chopin – Introduction and Polonaise in C Major, Op. 3 – Cello Sonate in G Minor, Op. 65 – Trio in G Minor, Op. 8 Sunday, 10 October 2013, 19:00 – […]
Stockholm Concert to Promote National Edition of Chopin's Works - vol. I/17.10.2014 - Agnieszka Przemyk-Bryła, Tomasz Strahl
Stockholm Concert to Promote National Edition of Chopin's Works - vol. II - Agnieszka Przemyk-Bryła, Tomasz Strahl, Bartosz Cajler
Berlin Concert to Promote National Edition of Chopin's Works/10.11.2014 - Agnieszka Przemyk-Strahl, Tomasz Strahl
?Simplicity is the highest goal? ? comment of Professor Jan Ekier from 1998
The National Edition by Jan Ekier - advertising film
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