Pedalling Music from the Classical Period
In our guest post this week, Penelope Roskell discusses ways in which subtle pedalling can be used to enhance music of the Classical period.
Pedalling Chopin’s B minor Prelude
Chopin's 24 Préludes, op. 28 were composed at a difficult time in the composer's life. It was the winter of 1838-9, and Chopin and his lover George Sand had decided…
Pedal in Bach: Yes or No?
The subject of pedal in the music of Bach always arouses keen debate. Ought pianists to steer clear of it and control everything by the fingers, or is it possible…
Pedalling by Hand
I first published this article in 2016. Now that I have made a new video demonstrating the differences between the Couperin piece in his original notation versus what we see…
Pedalling for Resonance
In the days before the piano was invented, harpsichordists did not have any sort of sustaining device and so created resonance using the technique of overholding (or finger pedalling). On…
Virtuosic Pedalling
Are you squeamish about using the soft pedal? Some players never venture there, because at some point their teacher has told them they need to be able to control soft…
Senza Pedale
I wonder how many of you have embarked on Dry January, perhaps as a New Year's resolution? The idea is that by abstaining from alcohol for a month you reset…
Pedalling Problems and Possibilities
I often find I have quibbles with pedal markings printed in the score. Chief among them is that these markings do not - nor can they ever expect to -…
Virtuosic Pedalling
The subject of pedalling emerged as one of the most sought after topics amongst my readers in surveys I ran prior to the launch of the Online Academy. Therefore I…
On Pedalling, Slow Practice and Practical Theory
I’ve recently run a survey to find out what repertoire you would like to see me feature in blog articles, annotated study editions and in the Online Academy which I’m…