tenuto over staccato

[mswaller]

Quick question for people-

How do you interpret a tenuto over a staccato?  Am I to extend the duration of the note, or perhaps play it short with slight accent?

The piece that I am working on has extended staccato playing in the left hand.  The first note of every measure is marked with a tenuto.

Please help!

[hyrst]

Play it warmly and deeply - that is, not a sharp or strong accent - and about 3/4 of the time value of the note without staccato.  Basically what this does is to separate the sound quality instead of producing short staccato.  Think of a cello playing each note with a new bow movement.  A legato is like a series of notes played smoothly with one bow movement.  The staccato with tenuto is a separate movement with each note and a slightly greater tension put on the string at the beginning.  Think of each note as definite and firm, but warm.

[mswaller]

Is this another way to indicate portato (i.e. staccato with slur)??

thanks for the reply

[hyrst]

Yes, it is pretty much portato - a little firmer and warmer.  In the case you are describing, it is probably indicating that the first note of the bar with the left hand creates a counter melody.  Try playing the first notes and see if there is an important quality to them rhythmically or harmonically.  They should have more sound value than the subsequent notes in the bar.