Why does this recording sound like it does?

[ggpianogg]

This may be a silly question. Take the first few bars for instance - why do they sound like there's pedal action when the notes at the top of the video do not seem to have any pedal markings? Is it just some reverb effect added in by the keyboard?

[keypeg]

Does one actually follow pedal markings as though they were set rules, or are they merely guidelines (and sometimes even wrong)?

[ggpianogg]

But there are no pedal markings at all in the notes, so I don't even know how to use a pedal to make the piece sound the way it does on the video or if it's even possible?

I'm therefore wondering if the video actually has pedal use or just some keyboard reverb/echo effect enabled (this musician has enabled effects on his keyboard in other videos).

[keypeg]

That's beyond me, since I've never tried to make music sound like something I've heard play.  The score is a thing we can interpret, and then we do things at the piano that will create the sound we want to create.  That's the best I can do.

For any recording, changes can also be made post-recording through editing.

[ggpianogg]

Thank you

[compline]

This may be a silly question. Take the first few bars for instance - why do they sound like there's pedal action when the notes at the top of the video do not seem to have any pedal markings? Is it just some reverb effect added in by the keyboard?

HI ggpianogg,

I had a look at the score and there  does not appear to be any  pedal markings.   
Is that you playing?  if so I'd like to know what grade the piece is as you look very competent and would probably have come a across pieces that use pedal marks by now, yet you state you don't know how to use a pedal.  Grade 2 and 3  introduce pedal markings.

A pianist friend of mine likes to use pedal for some pieces,  even if the piece does not require pedal, he likes the effect.

[ronde_des_sylphes]

There is a convention, which probably dates from the 19th century, that if no pedal markings are shown, it is likely that you pedal by the harmonies, except when specific pedal effects are written out (including senza ped, to indicate absence of pedal).
That's what is happening in the opening here. Hope that answers your question.

[pianoplunker]

This may be a silly question. Take the first few bars for instance - why do they sound like there's pedal action when the notes at the top of the video do not seem to have any pedal markings? Is it just some reverb effect added in by the keyboard?

Without knowing how/where the piece was recorded or what type of piano, to me it sounds like a preset reverb effect such as concert hall reverb.   The room has something to do with it as well. It just doesnt sound like "pedal" to me though. However , the performance is quite nice as is.