Bach's Concerto in D minor, BWV 974, Adagio. Pedal or not?

[dorothy]

I am learning the adagio part of this concerto and wonder about using the pedal.  Should it be used?  If so, how much?

Since I first asked this question, I have found an excellent tutorial on Youtube on how to play and pedal this piece.  If anyone is interested, it is "How to Play Marcello/Bach: "Adagio" BWV 974 (Tutorial).  It's really helpful.: 

[brogers70]

My own opinion is, sure, use the pedal. Don't overdo it so that you end up blurring the lines or overlapping different harmonies, but it's fine to use to vary the tone, or to quickly link two notes you cannot otherwise connect.

If you want to make the piano sound like a harpsichord, the best way to do that is to sell the piano and use the proceeds to buy an actual harpsichord.

[dorothy]

  Thank you for the answer.  I have no interest in selling my piano to buy a harpsichord and if I did, I would know how to get one on my own.  The question was about using the pedal only.

[brogers70]

  Thank you for the answer.  I have no interest in selling my piano to buy a harpsichord and if I did, I would know how to get one on my own.  The question was about using the pedal only.

Yes, I understood that. My point about the harpsichord is that there are a few pianists who rather dogmatically insist that you should never use pedal when playing Bach, because a sustain pedal was not available on a harpsichord. And my response to that idea is that if you want to make a piano act like a harpsichord you might be better off just getting a real harpsichord. Personally, I think that if you are going to play Bach on the piano, you should feel free to use all the capabilities of the piano, knowing full well that it will not sound like a harpsichord.