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History of Pianos

Part 6: The Pianos of the 20th and 21st Century

The history of pianos development continues during the 20th century with improvement of the piano for an even more perfect and stronger sound, scientifically and with masterly craftsmanship developed into the fine instrument we have today.

The demand for perfection of sound in our days has a lot to do with the development of recordings, from the first gramophone discs in the early 20th century to the digital recordings of today- there is more and more demand for absolute perfection in quality of sound and tuning.

The development of the Electronic keyboards during the 20th century is a chapter in itself, a typical instrument of our times. An “electro-phone”!

I am an advocate for all kinds of pianos. I personally own both electric pianos and a synthesizer.

How wonderful it is never having to tune them! (I used to own a harpsichord..I had to tune it all the time!)

But in my personal opinion the electronic piano keyboards can never compete in sound and touch with the acoustic pianos, one grand and one upright that I also own. (Needs to be tuned though, again…)

It is interesting to think about that the music we often play today, by Beethoven, Bach and Mozart for example- was written for instruments totally different from the rather heavy and loud instrument of today. (And if you have ever wondered over Robert Schumann’s pedaling, for example – just use common sense! It often does not suit modern pianos!!)

Would the composers, pianists and Bartolomeo Cristofori (the piano-forte inventor) have liked the instruments of today? I am not so sure… and no-one will ever know. But I do love our contemporary instrument! Don’t you? It suits our time, I guess. Loud and noisy!

The history of pianos is a story with roots going back over 2300 years ago…wow. What a connection to the past! And this proud heritage is carried on worldwide throughout generations and in multiple styles and genres of music… imagine. The piano is truly the most magnificent instrument! Pegasus Piano by Luigi Colani

So, do we have Bartolomeo Cristofori who invented the piano, to thank for all this?

Well, even though he played and undeniably large part in the history of the piano, and has his name forever connected with the invention of the piano, we have to thank and think about all the inventors, crazy or not (!), instrument makers, musicians and composers throughout history.

They have all contributed over thousands of years to develop their efforts and struggles into the fantastic instrument we are blessed to be able to play today!

How a modern grand piano is built:

Other resources:

People and Pianos: A Pictorial History of Steinway & Sons (Amadeus)

Giraffes, Black Dragons, and Other Pianos: A Technological History from Cristofori to the Modern Concert Grand, Second Edition

Pianoforte: A Social History of the Piano

A Romance on Three Legs: Glenn Gould's Obsessive Quest for the Perfect Piano

The Piano Book: Buying & Owning a New or Used Piano

Return from History of Pianos: Part 6 to Piano History

Return from History of Pianos: Part 6 to Piano Lessons Home Page

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