Expert: David Froom - 10/18/2008

Question
What are the differences between a fortepiano and an ordinary piano

Answer
The piano, originally called "fortepiano" (for loud/soft, to distinguish it from the single-volume harpischord), was invented in the early 18th century.  It was a smallish instrument, about the size of a harpsichord.  As time went on, it grew in power, size, stability, etc.  Even as late as Beethoven/Schubert (early 1800s), one could easily snap strings by hitting the keys too hard.

During the 19th century, the instrument evolved.  By the mid-19th century, it was getting pretty close to what we call the "piano."  That still stands for "pianoforte."  I'm not sure when it was that the name got switched around.

These days, when you see a reference to a fortepiano, you can expect that it is an instrument built on the model of the earlier instruments, and used in an attempt to hear the music of Mozart, Haydn, Beethoven, Schubert on an instrument that we believe closely resembles the instrument they used.  Of course, their music can be/is played (and sounds great) on a modern instrument.  But the fortepiano folks think something is learned and understood by trying to emulate the sound those composers would have had specifically in mind when they wrote their pieces.

We do know that Beethoven pushed the extremes of whatever instrument he had, and that he was always very pleased with new technical advances in those instruments.  Even still, it is an interesting issue.

There is a nice wikipedia article you can read for more information (I hope it doesn't contradict what I've written!):

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fortepiano

David Froom