fortepiano
Mozart's keyboard instrument
Fortepiano names the piano of the 18th and early 19th centuries—the instrument Mozart and Beethoven composed for.
It had a lighter action, thinner strings, and more delicate sound than the modern piano.
The name comes from the Italian for loud-soft, describing the instrument's revolutionary ability to vary dynamics based on touch.
Musicians now use fortepiano to distinguish these historical instruments from their modern descendants.
Separately, fortepiano is a musical direction meaning loud then immediately soft.
Structural timber assembly
- dampersThings that restrain intensity
- soundboardTone-amplifying wooden surface
- stringsThin flexible lines
- escapementTick-controlling clock component
action · tangent · hammers · pedals · case · lid · music stand · keyboard
Eighteenth-century Austrian composer
- BeethovenGerman classical music giant
- sonataMulti-movement instrumental composition
- concertoSolo-and-orchestra composition
- variationChange from a norm
Haydn · Scarlatti · rondo · fantasy · impromptu · bagatelle · divertimento · chamber music
Verified as original
- replicaFaithful scaled reproduction
- restorationReturning something to condition
- antiqueOld valued collectible
- museumPublic exhibit space
original · 18th century · 19th century · collectible · artifact · preservation · craftsmanship · patina
Emitting or reflecting light
- clearWithout obstruction or fog
- transparentAllowing light through
- intimateClosely personal or private
- delicateEasily broken or harmed
light · warm · mellow · decay · sustain · resonance · timbre · voicing
Regional speech pattern
- attackAggressive act against another
- contrastNotable difference between things
- articulationClear vocal expression
- expressionConveyed thought or feeling
Plucked-string keyboard instrument
- clavichordSoft-toned keyed instrument
- spinetSmall plucked keyboard
- virginalsSmall Renaissance keyboard instrument
- organBody's working component
wooden frame
Structural timber assembly
- dampersThings that restrain intensity
- soundboardTone-amplifying wooden surface
- stringsThin flexible lines
escapement · action · tangent · hammers · pedals · case · lid · music stand · keyboard · compass
Mozart
Eighteenth-century Austrian composer
- BeethovenGerman classical music giant
- sonataMulti-movement instrumental composition
- concertoSolo-and-orchestra composition
Haydn · Scarlatti · variation · rondo · fantasy · impromptu · bagatelle · divertimento · chamber music
authentic
Verified as original
- replicaFaithful scaled reproduction
- restorationReturning something to condition
- antiqueOld valued collectible
museum · original · 18th century · 19th century · collectible · artifact · preservation · craftsmanship · patina · conservatory
bright
Emitting or reflecting light
- clearWithout obstruction or fog
- transparentAllowing light through
- intimateClosely personal or private
delicate · light · warm · mellow · decay · sustain · resonance · timbre · voicing · color
accent
Regional speech pattern
- attackAggressive act against another
- contrastNotable difference between things
- articulationClear vocal expression
harpsichord
Plucked-string keyboard instrument
- clavichordSoft-toned keyed instrument
- spinetSmall plucked keyboard
- virginalsSmall Renaissance keyboard instrument
- classical musicBach, Mozart, Beethoven, Chopin, Brahms
- Pianosoundboard, damper pedal, soft pedal, sustain pedal, Steinway
- instrumentsguitar, guitars, drum, drums, violin
- keyboard instrumentsorgan, harpsichord, clavichord, spinet, virginal
- Classical PianoBach, Beethoven, Mozart, Chopin, sonata
- dynamicspp, ff, forzando, crescendo, decrescendo
fortepianoharpsichord
Plucked-string keyboard instrument
clavichord · organ · pipe organ · virginal · spinet
piano, forte, pianist, pianos, pianists, fortissimo, pianissimo, pianoforte, pianistic