STUDYING THE HISTORY OF PIANO

Researching the history of piano provides us with a base for understanding all things piano.  By studying the history of piano it allows us to recognize the major developments that have occurred over the past few centuries and helps us study some of the greatest pianists of all time.

THE HISTORY OF PIANO… WHERE IT ALL BEGAN

Several musical instruments, including the dulcimer, clavichord, and harpischord, were forerunners of the piano. The dulcimer was probably invented in the Middle East during ancient times. It consists of a flat box with a set of wires across the top. The instument is played by striking the wires with a mullet. The clavichord and harpsichord, which were developed by Europeans during the Middle Ages, were among the first string instruments with a keyboard.

In 1709, Bartolomeo Cristofori, an Italian who built musical instruments, invented a keyboard instrument with strings that were struck by hammers. This invention was later called pianoforte. Cristofori’s instrument was the direct forerunner of the modern piano.

Between the late 1700’s and early 1800’s, several musical instrument makers improved upon Cristofori’s pianoforte. In the late 1700’s John Broadwood of England made many improvements in the piano. Broadwood’s instrument produced louder and richer tones than the piano forte. In 1821, Sebastien Erard of France designed the double escapement, a device which improved the action of the piano’s hammers. Alpheus Babcock, an American, invented a large case-iron frame in 1825. He also developed a method of cross-stringing pianos. In 1855 Henry E. Steinway, combined all these inventions into one piano. His piano closely resembled the grand pianos built today.

Since the late 1700’s, most great classical composers have written music for the piano.

Leading composers of piano music during the late 1700’s and the 1800’s included, Ludwig van Beethoven, Johanned Brahms, Frederic Chopin, Joseph Haydn, Franz Liszt, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Franz Schubert, and Robert Schumann. Many classical composers of piano music were also accomplished players. Liszt and Chopin, for example, were great pianists.

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During the 1900’s leading composers of piano music have included Bela Bartok, Claude Debussy, Paul Hindemith, and Maurice Ravel.

For more information or if you are looking for a great book relating to the history of piano then we recommend Piano Roles:A New History of the Piano. Please follow this link which will take you straight to Amazon.com.

Piano Roles: A New History of the Piano

Some of this Information was sourced from

World Book. (1986). The World Book Encyclopedia. Chicago, USA: World Book, Inc.