Sunset Rose is an intermediate piano solo that features a smooth, right-hand melody accompanied primarily by broken chords in the left hand. It is a highly appropriate composition for one who needs something that is not too difficult, yet still sounds mature.
The ideal pedaling for this piece would be to half pedal, which means depressing the sustain pedal only half of the way down as opposed to all the way. This is so that the dampers touch the strings only slightly, giving a warm, legato sound that is not too blurred.
The half-pedal technique is considered to be an advanced pedal technique, so, if it is too frustrating for the intermediate student to half pedal, a full pedal technique is acceptable and will still achieve a nice effect. Measures 8, 16, 40, 48 and 72 are to be played cleanly, which requires either pedaling each beat or using no pedal at all.
I hope you enjoy the opportunity to make this composition as lovely as the sunset rose itself!
~ Loretta Pritchard
