History of PianosPart 4History of pianos: The Forte-Piano was still a relatively small instrument with a small sound, but it became very popular during the classical era and completely replaced the Harpsichord and the clavichord.
The Classical Era (1750-1825):The orchestra grew. The use of "Basso Continuo" disappeared, and the use of the Harpsichord faded away... The classical orchestra now had up to 40 members. As well as other composers, Mozart, Haydn and Beethoven wrote piano concertos, so the Forte Piano had to be improved so it could be heard over the now larger orchestra.
W.A. Mozart (1756–1791) loved the new instrument, and wrote an enormous amount of piano music for it. The forte piano had a range of about four octaves from the beginning and gradually got more. Mozart wrote piano compositions for pianos with about five octaves.
The Square piano or Tafelklavier was invented by Johannes Zumpe in England in 1766. This was another important invention in the history of pianos. This was a popular instrument also because of its practicality - close the lid and you had a table; a real space saver!
The piano works of Beethoven show us how the range of the piano kept expanding, since his last piano compositions have a range about six octaves. (The range of a modern piano is 7 1/2 octaves.) With the piano, and especially with his 32 Piano sonatas, Beethoven explored and expanded the borders of what was possible- and not! One of his sonatas (Piano Sonata no. 7 in D, op. 10, no. 3) is actually written with a range that is both higher and lower than what existed on most keyboards at that time! Talk about a visionary! (And frustrating for a pianist of that time- should he whistle or sing those missing notes ;P ?)
More Resources:Mr. Langshaw's Square Piano: The Story of the First Pianos and How They Caused a Cultural Revolution  Illustrated Catalogue Of Grand, Upright And Square Piano-fortes. Return from History of Pianos: Part 4 to Piano History
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It is said that when he no longer could hear he took off the legs of the piano and put his ear close to the piano on the floor to at least be able to hear the vibrations of the tones… so sad..
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