Fortepianami

Fortepianami is a type of mechanical instrument that originates from the 18th century. This instrument combines elements of the piano and the harpsichord, hence the name which is a combination of the Italian word "forte," meaning loud, and "pianoforte," a term which refers to the late 16th-century Italian invention of the name of the piano.

Fortepianami are typically played without hammers, instead using quills or similar objects to pluck strings, much like a harpsichord. However, unlike the harpsichord, the sound of a fortepianami can vary in loudness. This is achieved through a system of levers and mandrels, allowing the player to adjust the loudness of the sound while still using the quill to pluck the strings.

The fortepianami was developed during a time when musical instrument technology was rapidly evolving, particularly in Europe. It was an attempt to bridge the gap between the loud, expressive sound of the piano forte, and the quieter, more delicate sound of the harpsichord. Although never widely adopted, fortepianami were played by some notable musicians of the time, and continue to be studied and performed by historians and enthusiasts of baroque and classical music.

Fortepianami are part of a larger category of instruments that existed during the evolution of the piano, including clavichords, spinets, and harpsichords. Understanding the complexities and nuances of the fortepianami allows musicologists and performance historians to gain deeper insight into the musical history and development of Europe.