Piano

Why It Matters

One of only three surviving pianos made by Bartolomeo Cristofori — the inventor of the piano. The oldest surviving playable piano in the world. Cristofori invented the mechanism (escapement) that distinguishes a piano from a harpsichord — the hammer rebounds after striking so the string can vibrate freely. This instrument is the direct ancestor of every piano ever built.

Description

An early fortepiano — smaller, lighter action, and quieter than a modern piano, but capable of dynamics a harpsichord could not produce. Has 49 keys and a 4-octave range.

Notable Players

Why It Matters

Gifted to Beethoven in 1818 by the London piano manufacturer John Broadwood & Sons as a mark of admiration. Beethoven was deeply appreciative, reportedly calling it a 'magnificent instrument.' He was already severely deaf by this point; he reportedly had the legs sawn off to feel the vibrations through the floor. Used during his late period, when he composed the Missa Solemnis and the late string quartets.

Description

An English grand piano with a richer, louder tone than the Viennese instruments Beethoven had previously used — a characteristic Broadwood had developed to satisfy the fashion for more powerful playing.

Notable Players

Why It Matters

The piano Chopin used during the final year of his life, 1848 — including his last public concert in London and Edinburgh before returning to Paris where he died the following year. Chopin famously preferred Pleyel's lighter, more sensitive action over the heavier Érard. He said: 'When I am indisposed, I play on an Érard piano and there I easily find a ready-made tone. But when I feel in good form and strong enough to find my own tone for myself, I must have a Pleyel.'

Description

A Pleyel grand piano of the type Chopin favoured above all others — lighter action and a more intimate, singing tone than the more powerful Érard instruments.

Description

Player piano (pianola) — plays automatically from a perforated paper roll.