[Piano and Song by Friedrich Wieck]@TWC D-Link book
Piano and Song

CHAPTER V
3/5

The foot-piece to the right on the piano-forte raises the dampers, and in that way makes the tones resound and sing, and takes from them the dryness, shortness, and want of fulness, which is always the objection to the piano-forte, especially to those of the earlier construction.

This is certainly an advantage; the more the tone of the piano-forte resembles singing, the more beautiful it is.

But, in order not to injure the distinctness and detract from the clear phrasing of the performance, a very skilful and prudent use of the pedal is necessary in rapid changes of harmony, particularly in the middle and lower portion of the instrument.
You all use the pedal too much and too often, especially on large, fine concert pianos of the new construction, which, with their heavy stringing, have in themselves a fuller, more vibrating tone; at least you do not let it fall frequently enough, and with precision.

You must listen to what you are playing.

You do not play for yourselves alone; frequently you play to hearers who are listening for the first time to the pieces you are performing.


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