NOTATIO

Thanks for adding further precision.
I definitely prefer Critical Reports, then, perhaps my completion-ist instincts!

For op 118, Simrock did a second edition much later, but I wonder if it is only a reprint or if anything was really corrected.
Browsing it on nkoda there is no way to tell unless one compares bar by bar…

John Ruggero wrote: ↑22 Jan 2025, 02:37 Every publisher can present whatever they want and call it an "urtext" edition, and the term has become a selling point, much as "all-natural" or "organic". has become for food.

…

Since I think that the term urtext has become somewhat tainted,

Precisely, a selling point to practical musicians. Musicologists usually don’t give much importance to urtext as opposed to full-fledged critical editions.

Still, “urtext” editions, whatever “urtext” means, are not devoid of utility. They give the performer a reasonable (albeit not complete) overview of the sources and a selection of the important variants. Sure, it’s the result of an editor’s choice, but then every type of edition is the result of choices.

Fingering should be banned from entering in a urtext edition. It’s obviously a practical indication and not original (unless it is). Moreover, fingerings are intended for the piano keyboard: fine for Schumann or Bartók, just impossible or otherwise “wrong” for music written for harpsichord (seriously: harpsichord keys are shorter and narrower than piano keys and there is no space between accidentals to put a finger).
If one wants a practical edition, be it. Urtext shouldn’t allow any additions or modifications except the usual modernization of the clefs. I’d leave even the white, double-value, notation for 17th century music.

Harpsichordmaker wrote: ↑25 Jan 2025, 09:52 Fingering should be banned from entering in a urtext edition. [...]
Urtext shouldn’t allow any additions or modifications except the usual modernization of the clefs.

Totally agree! Thank you!
Does the editor want to add fingerings? Add a second part or a second volume with fingerings.
Especially in pieces where the sources may already have something from the composer (talking about cello music by cellist composers).

I too would be in favor of two options for urtext editions: with and without fingering and other interpretive suggestions. And this is quite easy for publishers to carry out technically in the age of computer engraving and online ordering of music.