tone colour
English composer
Definition
The differentiation of individual voices within a chord or texture through subtle variation of touch, weight, and finger depth rather than through dynamic extremes. Central to Godowsky's aesthetic of refined pianism.
Interpretive Guidance
Godowsky described the piano as capable of enormous variety within a narrow dynamic range. Practise passages at a uniform piano, changing only the depth and speed of key depression from voice to voice, to develop independent tone colour before applying it at full dynamic range.