Fortepianos

Fortepiano is an early type of piano developed in the 18th century, designed to be played with a keyboard and producing dynamic shading by means of a hammer striking the strings. The instrument's name is derived from Italian forte-piano, meaning "loud-soft," reflecting its dynamic range in comparison with older keyboard instruments.

The fortepiano was developed from the harpsichord and clavichord. The most famous inventor was Bartolomeo Cristofori of Padua, who built several instruments around 1700 in Italy. Cristofori's action used a hammer that struck the string and then fell away, allowing quick repetition and a gradual return of the note.

Typical fortepianos had five to six and a half octaves, light wooden frames, and gut strings. The tone was bright and immediate, with faster decay than later pianos. The instrument offered dynamic control via touch, and often used knee or foot pedals to alter the timbre or to soften the sound. The range and construction varied by region; Viennese, German, and English models differed in actions and temperament.

Prominent makers include Cristofori (Italy); Gottfried Silbermann (Germany) who built early fortepianos for Bach's circle; Anton Walter (Vienna) whose instruments were used by Beethoven; Broadwood (London) and other English makers who produced fortepianos in the late 18th century; Erard (France) contributed to improvements toward the later 18th–early 19th century.

Fortepianos were widely used for classical-era repertoire by composers such as Mozart, Haydn, and early Beethoven. By the 1820s–1840s, pianos with stronger iron frames and more extended ranges replaced the fortepiano in most new music, leading to the modern piano. In modern times, fortepianos are valued in historically informed performance, and many instruments are built anew or restored for museum collections and concerts.