Mendelssohn: Songs Without Words, Op. 102 No. 4 in G minor

[ventus]

I have a question about this piece, or more precisely about its two last measures...

The thing is that there are two g minor chords that are both eighth notes and between them there are rests and yet in most editions of this piece last three measures are connected with one pedal.

So, I was wondering what would be the most appropriate way of playing those two measures considering Mendelssohn's style and other romantic era music...

P.S. I heard both interpretations: with one pedal connecting last 3 measures and with smaller pedals on every chord divided by rests. They both sound good when played well, but I was just wondering...

[to4ko99]

I would play those chords without the pedal. Also, I would play the ending without any rubato, let the piece fade away. Just make sure those chords are played really softly.

[the_fervid_pig]

I have 2 versions of it, both different, but neither have the pedal across all 3 measures. They're both from very old editions, c.1915. One Bosworth one Joseph Williams publishing.





Not sure if this helps any. Just noticed, the 2nd one has an octave G below on the first beat of the penultimate bar, and the first one doesn't. Interesting

[j_menz]

Just noticed, the 2nd one has an octave G below on the first beat of the penultimate bar, and the first one doesn't. Interesting

The first one also appears to have a footnote on that note, so the discrepancy is probably explained there.

@ OP -
Have you considered dropping back to half pedal? I think it would work to do that as per the last image posted by the_ferfid_pig. Instead of lifting the pedal right off at the * marks, drop it back to half and floor it again at the Ped indications.

Above all, use your ears.

[the_fervid_pig]

You're right it does, and it is, apparently the 2nd one with the lower G is the original. Wonder why it was changed?