Sostenuto pedal in Prokofiev?

[dkarjala]

I'm trying to learn Prokofiev's Sonata no. 7 and have noticed there are a few places where you clearly have to 'leave' a note in the bass to play an upper section while the note sustains (i.e. it would be impossible to do with just the right hand while holding the lower note with the left) and it seems that the damper pedal works for some of these passages without muddling.

I'm curious whether anyone knows how some of the greats have played these and if they in fact use the sostenuto pedal to keep the measures clean, or also use the damper pedal sometimes. I know it comes down to whether it sounds good or not, but it would be nice if anyone that has worked on this piece had advice. I can, of course, provide measures if anyone wants. Thank you!

[jbmorel78]

If your gut tells you to use the middle pedal, do it!  For the sake of curiosity, would you mind posting the movement and bar numbers?

Thanks,
JBM

[dkarjala]

Unfortunately I'm playing a Casio Privia right now (yamaha c3 is at my parents' until me and my little family find a bigger place!), so I don't have a sostenuto...although I think they make one if you have the console stand...in any case, the notes I can think of right now are as follows:

I'm sorry but I have the IMC edition with no measures, so I'll use reference points and count from there.

I. Allegro inquieto

in the Andantino theme starting with the *first* measure of 9/8, in the second measure you must hold an octave of A- and AA-, likewise in the 8th measure. Then in the 14th measure BB-. And you will easily see this happens several more times as well as in the recapitulation of the Andantino.

II. Andante caloroso

Measure 14 introduces a common bass motif in the piece. I know some of these guys' hands were large, but surely not that large! There are a bunch of pedal-tone bass notes that must be abandoned for other left-hand stuff as well.

As far as the IIIrd movement Precipitato, it doesn't have time for such things...but what a beauty, god I love it.

[slow_concert_pianist]

I try and avoid pedal where possible with Prokofiev. Instinct takes over and the balance seems right. Stalingrad is a hellish work and with all those streches it is very easy to use the pedal as a "crutch".

BEWARE!!!!!!!