Cristofori Piano-Forte
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This instrument designates the early version of the Piano, from its invention by Bartolomeo Cristofori around 1700 up to the early 19th century. It was the instrument for which Haydn, Mozart, and the early Beethoven wrote their Piano music. This version has fewer notes, a softer sound and is much more delicate than a modern Piano.The fortepiano has leather-covered hammers and thin, Harpsichord-like strings. It has a much lighter case construction than the modern piano and, except for later examples of the early nineteenth century (already evolving towards the modern piano), it has no metal frame or bracing. The action and hammers are lighter, giving rise to a much lighter touch, which in well-constructed Forte-Pianos is also very responsive [19].
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The range of the Fortepiano was about four octaves at the time of its invention and it gradually increased. Mozart (1756–1791) wrote his Piano music for instruments of about five octaves. The Piano works of Beethoven (1770–1827) reflect a gradually expanding range; his last Piano compositions are for an instrument of about six octaves. The range of most modern Pianos, attained in the 19th century, is 7⅓ octaves. Forte-Pianos from the start had devices similar to the pedeals of modern Pianos, but these were not always pedals; sometimes hand stops or knee levers were used instead.