The Schubert Club Museum
Keyboard Evolution
How Do They Sound?
The voice of keyboard instruments has evolved in the last five hundred years, changed by the way that the strings are made to sing, and the body of the instrument itself. Innovators sought to increase the instrument’s volume and expressiveness.
When your finger strikes the keyboard on a harpsichord, a quill plucks a string. All notes are of equal duration and volume, yet it can be played very fast. Strike a key on a fortepiano and a hammer raps the string with the force you used, allowing subtle variations in volume and expression.
The modern piano amplifies the qualities of the fortepiano, with even greater control and volume. The powerful sound is mostly achieved by strengthening the hammers, strings and frame. The marvelous subtlety of the modern piano comes from improved control of string vibration through dampers and pedals, all in direct response to the player’s touch.
Compare the same piece of music, Mozart's "Twinkle, Twinkle", being played on seven different instruments. (MP3 files)
17th Century Italian Harpsichord
All sound recordings by James Callahan with narration by Melissa Ousley.
Explore the history of the piano through the evolution of seven different keyboards on display at The Schubert Club Museum.
Click on each image for more information
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Fast and crisp Italian 17th century Harpsichord, unknown maker |
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Loud and Soft Copy of 1726 Cristofori Fortepiano, Sutherland (1997) |
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Made in America Taws 1791 Square Piano |
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First grand piano Broadwood 1795 |
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Domestic bliss Stein 1830 Square Piano |
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Liszt’s favorite Erard 1844 Upright Piano |
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Big and bold Streicher 1869 Grand Piano |
Other keyboards from our collectionClick to view larger image
