Volpe - how to interpret '>' above notes

[RJVB]

Hi,

I've started to grapple with Harry Volpe's Modern Etude, and wonder if there was a convention at the time about the meaning of a '>' sign above a note (which are ff in this particular case)? It take it they're accents of some sort, but haven't yet figured out exactly how they're produced in the few existing recordings (let alone managed to reproduce the rendition :-/)

Thx!

[Mandobart]

A single ">" above a note means an accent. The note should be played louder, or with a harder attack than surrounding unaccented notes.

A longer ">" that spans more than one note is a decrescendo, aka diminuendo.

[RJVB]

I know about (de)crescendo (and reading music notation)

A harder attack ... is that possible without making the notes sound louder themselves (they're already ff ...)?

[JonPR]

Originally Posted by RJVB

I know about (de)crescendo (and reading music notation)

A harder attack ... is that possible without making the notes sound louder themselves (they're already ff ...)?

As Mandobart says, the note with the > should be louder than those either side. Doesn't matter if they're already ff! Play that one fff!!
IOW, you should always have some spare dynamic headroom. Don't play "ff" as loud as you possibly can!

If you can hear a recorded performance, that's the best clue (as to how much it matters).