sustain pedal

“Although Monk’s recorded piano sound is percussive,” Mr. Pareles went on, “the film shows him using the sustain pedal within single notes, using extraordinary finesse.”

“Although Monk’s recorded piano sound is percussive,” Mr. Pareles went on, “the film shows him using the sustain pedal within single notes, using extraordinary finesse.”

Almost immediately Shipp is holding the sustain pedal and blanketing the keyboard in a minor mode, and Bisio alternating between a low pedal and tension cords of notes on the higher strings.

As the music gained momentum, Moran gently increased the pressure on his piano’s sustain pedal, loosening the notes as they charged forward.

Novacek’s playing was like a more subtle translation of Josefowicz’s, leaning on the piano’s percussive core, using the sustain pedal for attention-calling washes of resonance and, in the Kurtág, landing some seriously concussive accents.