Re: Piano pedalling in (conductor) scores

[David Kastrup]

Kieren MacMillan <kieren@kierenmacmillan.info> writes:

> Hi Simon,
>
>> when preparing a conductor's score that also includes a piano (as an
>> ensemble, not soloist) part, do you also include the pedalling
>> information for the piano?
>
> IMO, a conductor’s score should contain essentially all the
> information in the performers’ parts, although possibly in a slightly
> different presentation (e.g., different clef, combined staves,
> shorthand, etc.)

I disagree.  There is no point in cluttering the conductor's part with
stuff like fingerings (only relevant to the player) and bowing
directions (section leader material).

>> How useful is that information for a conductor?
>
> Very! For example, let’s say the piano part says “senza ped.” and the
> conductor’s score has no marking — the conductor would likely assume
> the part would be played with pedal (ad lib.), and there might be
> confusion in rehearsal when the conductor hears no pedal.

Pedalling is musically relevant to some degree (but often applied by the
player at will) but it really depends on whether we are talking about
information mandated by the composer or editorial suggestions.  If the
latter, there seems little point in giving the conductor the information
necessary to enforce the editor's rather than the composer's vision of
execution.

-- 
David Kastrup