Graham Fitch shows how to approach pedalling with stylistic understanding and confidence through an exploration of two contrasting snapshots in the evolution of the piano.
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Celebrate Piano Day 2026 (29th March) with a fascinating online exploration by Graham Fitch revealing how composers’ changing demands transformed both piano writing and the instrument itself. Through two contrasting snapshots in history - one where pedal must be used sparingly, if at all, and another where it becomes indispensable - we trace the evolution of pedalling and consider what it means for today’s pianist.
We begin in the Baroque period, using works by composers such as Johann Sebastian Bach to consider how and whether pedal can be used appropriately in music conceived for a very different instrument. Leaping forward to the Romantic world, we discover how the pedal becomes essential for sustaining melody and enabling the rich three-layered texture in Songs Without Words by Felix Mendelssohn and Fanny Hensel, plus a precursor by Franz Schubert.
The programme concludes with a live Q&A session on applying insights from these sessions to your playing and other aspects of practising or playing in general.
The sustaining pedal didn’t exist in Bach’s world - so should we use it when playing Baroque music?
Since today's pianists perform Baroque repertoire on an instrument capable of resonance, sounds and colours far beyond anything composers of the time could have imagined, it would be futile to try to copy the sounds of the harpsichord. So how should we then approach the pedal when playing music from this period?
Through examples from composers including Johann Sebastian Bach, Graham will answer this question by exploring:
This session challenges simplistic "never use pedal" rules to embrace the nature of the instruments we play this music on today. You’ll learn how to give yourself permission to play pianistically with an awareness of and respect for the clarity of texture and articulation that are integral to Baroque style.
At what point did the sustaining pedal stop being optional - and become essential?
In the second session, Graham looks at how the use of the right pedal had evolved by the time Mendelssohn was writing the Songs without Words, to the extent that this music is inconceivable without it.
Central to this transformation is the emergence of the three-layered texture: a singing melodic line above with a harmonically active middle (often built from broken chords) on a foundational bass. We will start by examining a beloved precursor of this texture by Franz Schubert. We’ll then move on to examples by Felix Mendelssohn and his unjustly neglected sister, Fanny, the latter of which will surprise you with its beauty and harmonic adventurousness!
Step into the sound world of early Romantic piano writing and:
From Baroque discretion to Romantic indispensability, these two snapshots reveal how the pedal’s role transformed piano playing, enabling you to approach pedalling with stylistic understanding and confidence!
We conclude with an open Q&A session giving you a chance to deepen your understanding and connect the insights of the day to your own playing! In addition to questions on the presentations, Graham will also answer general questions from the audience on playing and practising.
Tickets for this series of workshops cost £50 (or £30 for Online Academy subscribers) and include live participation in all sessions and access to recordings afterwards. Click on the "Buy" button below to sign-up (sign-in first if you're a subscriber to get your discount)!