Piano

Whether upright or grand, the piano—or pianoforte to give it its full name—is one of the mainstays of the classical world, fundamental to chamber music, indispensable as a solo instrument. The clavichord, harpsichord, and fortepiano were all early ancestors of the modern piano, and centuries of evolution have led to the birth of the piano we know and love today. Its name derives from the Italian “pianoforte,” meaning “soft” and “loud,” signifying its expressive versatility. Its predecessor, the fortepiano, was invented in the 1700s, when Bartolomeo Cristofori introduced his first ‘harpsichord with hammers’ replacing the string plucking mechanism with a hammer action, creating a new range of expressiveness. The piano reached its modern form around 1900 after the introduction of a stronger frame, made from metal instead of wood, thicker strings,, and larger keyboards. These innovations allowed composers to write more technically demanding pieces for new generations of pianists. Nowadays, standard pianos feature 88 black-and-white keys and a mechanism consisting of hammers, strings,, and two or three pedals that sustain the sound or create a softer, thinner, and more intimate texture. The piano can play the role of solo, chamber, and orchestral instrument, all with the widest range of expression. From delicate Haydn to thunderous Beethoven, virtuosic Liszt to dreamy Rachmaninoff, discover your own collection of incredible piano works.