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Fortepiano: meaning, definitions and examples

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fortepiano

[ fɔrˈteˌpiˈɑːnoʊ ]

Noun

^{Context #1 | Noun}

musical instrument

A fortepiano is an early version of the piano, similar in appearance to a harpsichord but with a mechanism that allows for dynamic variation in volume. It was popular in the late 18th and early 19th centuries.

Synonyms

harpsichord, piano.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
fortepiano	Used to describe early pianos from the late 17th to early 19th centuries, often in discussions of historical musicology or performances with period instruments. The fortepiano has a lighter touch compared to the modern piano. Mozart's music often sounds different when played on a fortepiano.

Word

Description / Examples

fortepiano

Used to describe early pianos from the late 17th to early 19th centuries, often in discussions of historical musicology or performances with period instruments.

The fortepiano has a lighter touch compared to the modern piano.
Mozart's music often sounds different when played on a fortepiano.

Examples of usage

The fortepiano was a revolutionary instrument in its time, allowing composers to explore new musical possibilities.
Mozart was known to have composed many of his piano sonatas on the fortepiano.

Translations

Translations of the word "fortepiano" in other languages:

🇵🇹 piano

🇮🇳 पियानो

🇩🇪 Klavier

🇮🇩 piano

🇺🇦 фортепіано

🇵🇱 fortepian

🇯🇵 ピアノ

🇫🇷 piano

🇪🇸 piano

🇹🇷 piyano

🇰🇷 피아노

🇸🇦 بيانو

🇨🇿 klavír

🇸🇰 klavír

🇨🇳 钢琴 (gāngqín)

🇸🇮 klavir

🇮🇸 píanó

🇰🇿 фортепиано

🇬🇪 ფორტეპიანო

🇦🇿 piano

🇲🇽 piano

Etymology

The fortepiano, meaning 'loud-soft' in Italian, was the precursor to the modern piano. Invented in the early 18th century by Bartolomeo Cristofori, the fortepiano revolutionized keyboard music with its ability to produce both soft and loud sounds. Over time, the fortepiano evolved into the pianoforte, and eventually, the piano as we know it today.