senza sordino

Italian universal

Definition

Without mute — sustain pedal depressed, allowing strings to vibrate freely.

Interpretive Guidance

In Beethoven's early sonatas (including Op. 27 No. 2, Moonlight), senza sordino means to hold the sustain pedal throughout; on the fortepianos of his time, the effect was more transparent than on modern instruments.

Context

Scope Universal term
Language Italian

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