Expert: David Froom - 5/4/2005

Question
What are the main differences between a fortepiano and a pianoforte.   I know that the one is the older form of instrument, but what actually defines the difference?

Answer
Hi,

The modern piano is a large and heavy instrument, made with cast iron and very heavy wood.  This allows strings to be thicker and to be strung tighter, making for a more powerful sound.  It has a complicated action that allows the hammers to be sent to the strings with considerable force, also contributing to a powerful sound.

The original pianos (fortepiano) were lighter, built more on the harpsichord model.  The actions were lighter, the whole instrument lighter, so the strings are less thick and cannot be strung nearly so tight (without the instrument cracking or warping or the strings breaking).  The sound is lighter, and has much less sustaining power.

Some people like to call the pianos at an in-between stage "pianoforte."  But pianoforte is also used to describe the modern piano.

I do not think that there was a moment in history when suddenly the fortepiano because the pianoforte.  Originally, the instruments were light, and, between 1750 and 1890, they became gradually and increasingly more powerful.  As people became interested, during the late 20th century, in looking back at the older things with an interest in rediscovering the authentic sound, the term fortepiano started being used to make the distinction between something that was older vs. something that was basically the modern instrument.

The terms were originally used more or less interchangeably.  Now we have a clear disctinction.  Some even draw three distinctions -- fortepiano, pianoforte, and piano (the last one being the most modern).  Any sense of these distinctions being clear is a fairly recent thing.  

Do a google search with the terms fortepiano and pianoforte.  You'll see some interesting things.

Hope I've helped.

David Froom