The Fortepiano

Today, the term fortepiano designates instruments made before 1830. Starting in Beethoven's time (1770-1827), the fortepiano began a period of steady evolution, culminating in the late 19th century with the modern grand. In the 20th century the fortepiano was revived, following the rise of interest in historically informed performance. Fortepianos are built for this purpose today in specialist workshops.

LIVE AT THE CONCERTGEBOUW  ‘…The rapid development of the piano, late 18th and early 19th century, ran parallel to Beethoven’s astonishing artistic development. From his first piano sonatas and concertos all the way to the futuristic last sonatas and heroic fourth and fifth piano concertos, Beethoven’s musical perspectives widened and practical pianistic possibilities increased. The instruments built by Streicher, Graf and Broadwood gave him the opportunity to realize his unprecedented grandiose style of both power and brilliance.

Beethovens final concerto, the Emperor Concerto of 1809 is a landmark in the history of music. Never before, and probably only decades later, a composer succeeded to reach for the stars in a piano concerto…’ [RNW-host Hans Haffmans]
 
Netherlands Radio Chamber Philharmonic
Jaap van Zweden, conductor
Severin von Eckhardstein, piano

Lex van Delden: Trittico op. 105
Ludwig von Beethoven: Piano Concerto no. 5 in Es major, ‘Emperor Concerto’
Franz Schubert: Symphony no. 4 in C minor, ‘Tragic’
 
 

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