Roberto Prosseda, Pedal Piano
In a programme of Alexandre-Pierre-François-Boëly: Fantasy and Fugue Op. 18 No. 6; Charles Gounod: Funeral March of a Marionette; Charles-Valentin Alkan: From 12 Etudes for organ pedals, Benedictus for Pedal piano Op. 54, From 11 Preludes Op. 66 No. 3 and 4
A nineteenth century invention, the Pedal piano is effectively 2 pianos played by the same pianist, one played by the hands and the other played by the feet. A bit similar to the organ, this instrument is certainly not as popular. Yet, composers like Schumann, Liszt, Alkan and Gounod composed some music for this very complicated instrument.
Roberto Prosseda is a leading exponent of the Pedal Piano and performs on this specially built extra pedal keyboard built by the Italian master piano maker Fazioli.
In September 2011, Prosseda gave his debut performing the Concerto for Pedal Piano by Gounod in the world premiere in modern times. He has given more than 70 concerts with the pedal piano, rediscovering the original compositions by Robert Schumann, Franz Liszt and Charles Valentin Alkan. Several composers, including Ennio Morricone, have already written new pieces for pedal piano for Roberto Prosseda, and an album of Gounod’s four pieces for pedal piano and orchestra with the Orchestra della Svizzera Italiana conducted by Howard Shelley was released on the Hyperion label in 2013.
Prosseda is also known as the leading exponent of Mendelssohn’s piano music. His CD of Mendelssohn rarities on Decca catapulted him to International fame and later his discography on Decca of the complete piano music of Mendelssohn has gained him worldwide recognition.
He has kindly allowed us the use of this film which will be available for a few weeks.
