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Openwood · Posted: Wed Mar 12, 2008 9:41 pm Post subject: Fazioli

Is the fourth pedal any good? I was wondering how it reduces the volume "without effecting the timbre". I'd assumed it was for pumping out the ice cream.

How much would a new F212 go for? I ask only for the comedy value, you understand.

markymark · Persistent Poster Joined: 04 Apr 2005 Posts: 172

Du-uh! The fourth pedal is quite obviously the choke for when tackling those dense Rachmanininov pieces! Razz

Grenache · Regular Poster Joined: 20 Oct 2007 Posts: 48 Location: UK

I thought the four pedals were there for the convenience of those who enjoy playing duets!

Gill the Piano · Persistent Poster Joined: 25 Oct 2003 Posts: 986

On a Morris Minor, it's accelerator, brake, clutch and headlamp dipswitch.

genaa · Posted: Mon Mar 31, 2008 9:23 pm Post subject:

reminds me of that wonderful Victor Borge joke about the middle pedal being there to separate the other two...

Openwood · Posted: Tue Apr 01, 2008 9:27 pm Post subject:

It does seem bizarre that the middle pedal is considered indispensable on modern grands but it's practically never used. I've been playing since the age of about 10 and I've NEVER needed to use it. If the Fazioli fourth pedal does what it claims to do I'd happily dump the conventional middle pedal in it's favour.

David B · Posted: Wed Apr 02, 2008 7:48 am Post subject:

Quite so, middle pedal is near useless as far as I can see. Worst is that you have to remember to use it after the relevant note, or it won't work. Since one is normally too busy thinking about the next note(s), its all just too complicated. Confused

genaa · Posted: Sat Apr 05, 2008 9:46 am Post subject:

can anyone list any memorable pieces which rely upon use of sostenuto pedalling? I am sure they exist but I am not aware of them but have a sostenuto on my upright and perhaps I should at least either learn or learn about some 'tunes' to help explain to people who ask when they come over hehe?

joseph · Posted: Tue Apr 08, 2008 10:52 pm Post subject:

i've used the middle pedal in the poulenc trio for bassoon, oboe and piano. Its marked in the score.

I've also used it in rhapsody in blue and some very modern works like McCabe stuff.

The fourth pedal on the Fazioli puts the hammers closer to the strings, like an uprights soft pedal, except its more sophisticated so the action doesn't go out of regulation. It does create this beautiful crystaline sound however I find it a bit gimmicky. Bluthner apparently built an experimental piano with this but didn't put it into production. Stuart and Sons have this pedal and some steingraber pianos have a combined shift/half blow pedal.

i'ma bit of a traditionalist when it comes to pedalling and use the pedal when its absolutely necessary. You know, like when you're so nervous you think you'll fall off the piano stool unless you have the pedal glued to the floor Laughing

genaa · Posted: Wed Apr 09, 2008 3:27 pm Post subject:

being a returning learner I am always having to chastise myself for pedalling where I shouldn't be!

Openwood · Posted: Wed Apr 09, 2008 10:38 pm Post subject:

I've been listening to Angela Hewitt's recording of the Goldbergs - sounds like that fourth pedal gets used a few times, and if I've identified the places correctly it would tie in with Joseph's opinion that it's a nice sound but...
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Openwood: Just enough knowledge to be dangerous.