Excuse the intrusion into the teachers' Forum but I put this query on the Viva Piano section and have received no reply so far.
I'm about to take my Grade 7 exam and still have not decided whwther to add una corda pedalling in Granados' Viniendo de la Fuente.
My teacher suggests using the 'una corda' pedal to soften the effect and reduce sonority in some passages and, especially, at the end, where the effect seems to fit the indication 'perdendosi'. But if this is the criterion to go by, then una corda would be wrong in the middle.
While I have no difficulty with the right pedal (the score suggests the right pedal throughout with a regular pattern and this is clearly indicated) I welcome any advice on how to go about using the una corda pedal as I (actually, my teacher and I9 have not decided yet.
Thanks to all of you
Full Version: Granados' Viniendo de la Fuente (Grade 7)
Hi Juan Carlos, I've got a pupil doing Grade 7 this time - he's not doing this piece but as you haven't had any replies so far I thought I'd look to see if there any hints in the teaching notes. I'm quoting from these below:-
"With the last appearance of the main theme (at the upbeat into bar 36), try using the una corda pedal for a change of colour. The music is gradually dying away, as though the children are disappearing into the distance or slipping back into the past"
It's not much I know, but hope it helps a little.
"With the last appearance of the main theme (at the upbeat into bar 36), try using the una corda pedal for a change of colour. The music is gradually dying away, as though the children are disappearing into the distance or slipping back into the past"
It's not much I know, but hope it helps a little.
QUOTE(jm-hamilton @ May 15 2012, 07:54 AM) 
Hi Juan Carlos, I've got a pupil doing Grade 7 this time - he's not doing this piece but as you haven't had any replies so far I thought I'd look to see if there any hints in the teaching notes. I'm quoting from these below:-
"With the last appearance of the main theme (at the upbeat into bar 36), try using the una corda pedal for a change of colour. The music is gradually dying away, as though the children are disappearing into the distance or slipping back into the past"
It's not much I know, but hope it helps a little.
Thanks a lot. It was very kind of you to assist an abandoned forumite ...
QUOTE(Juan Carlos @ May 16 2012, 07:06 AM)
Thanks a lot. It was very kind of you to assist an abandoned forumite ...
I'd like to help, but I do not (yet) have a copy of the score.
What a co-incidence. It is in this month's Pianist Magazine, complete with a full page "How to Play" article by Janet Newman, and a performance on the CD. It may be worth your while to get a copy.
The performance is technically excellent (accuracy, consistent tempo, etc.) but it is nothing like the way I would perform it!! I would go for an overall softer touch, slightly slower, more legato (the notes in some phrases sound too isolated so you don't hear the "line").
Newman does not mention using the Una Corda. I think it is needed in the ppp section at the end, but nowhere else.
She makes lots of useful suggestions, especially that the piece works better if you change the sustain pedal more often to keep a cleaner texture.
The performance is technically excellent (accuracy, consistent tempo, etc.) but it is nothing like the way I would perform it!! I would go for an overall softer touch, slightly slower, more legato (the notes in some phrases sound too isolated so you don't hear the "line").
Newman does not mention using the Una Corda. I think it is needed in the ppp section at the end, but nowhere else.
She makes lots of useful suggestions, especially that the piece works better if you change the sustain pedal more often to keep a cleaner texture.
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