Voicing in "Jesus, joy of man's desiring", Myra Hess transcription for piano

[stellata]

Hi!

I am currently trying to learn this piece, and I was wondering whether there are any tips of advice regarding the best technique to apply in order highlight the singing melody.

1) Attacking the notes with a higher finger?

2) Arm movement towards the finger playing the note to be highlighted?

3) Both approaches together?

4) Any other option?

Thanks for the input.

Cheers

Stellata

[kriatina]

What an interesting question!
 
I have been wondering about this myself,
especially when listening to Lhevinne's wonderful singing tones
in those very few Amplico recordings of his.

I thought it was their particular gift
that set those few artists aside
from all the other artists?

Best wishes from Kristina.

[hfmadopter]

It's really an aquired strengthening of the upper fingers ( small digits) combined with finger articulation in general. No tricks, except to play more works like this, required !

Play more Bach, his music is loaded wth this kind of voicing and more.

Edit:

Actually. Ian's response made me think of my past suggestions to practice what could be termed dry trills. That would be trills with no piano, you can use a desk top for instance or any firm surface. In this case practice just a few minutes at a time trilling with the third and fifth fingers, then third and fourth, fourth and fifth. Don't overdo it, just a few minutes of this per day is enough. You will notice that those fingers strengthen and become more independent for the kind of playing you are doing now, not just for trills . Of course you can do this at the piano as well but the method I'm mentioning allows you to help those fingers a bit virtually anyplace ( at work at lunch time for instance, riding public transportation using a book as the surface etc.).

[iansinclair]

You might also try using a perfect (yeah right) legato on the chorale theme, with a very very slight detache touch on the other lines.  Easier said than done.

[j_menz]

Rather than starting with the mechanics and hoping it produces a good result, you need to clearly get into your head what you want it to sound like - each line and the balance between them. Once you have done that, the actual mechanics pretty much fall into place (or at least you know what you're expecting them to achieve).

[kriatina]

Sorry, Stellata, I misunderstood. 

I thought you wanted to find out the details
about how Myra Hess made the Piano "sing"
when she performed her “Jesus, joy of man’s desiring” .

Best wishes from Kristina.