Definition of fortepiano in English:
fortepiano
nounPlural fortepianosˌfɔːteɪˈpjanəʊˌfɔːteɪˈpjɑːnəʊfɔrteɪˈpjænoʊ
Music A piano, especially of the kind made in the 18th and early 19th centuries.
Example sentencesExamples
- He demonstrates on a Stein fortepiano alongside the Steinway, discussing his decisions about articulation and dynamics in key passages.
- Of uncertain origins, he was one of the community of émigré musicians who made an itinerant orchestral career in Britain, playing a variety of wind and string instruments, the fortepiano, and the cittern.
- The pianist's clipped articulation does suggest a fortepiano more than a modern concert grand, but interpretively, Kovacevich presents Beethoven as a nose-thumber out to turn things on their ears.
- Although fortepianos have higher decay rates than their 20th Century cousins, Bilson manipulates that decay with such skill you can feel the tail of silence quiver.
- The piano teacher gives all lessons on an early fortepiano that has a knee lever for operating the damper mechanism.
Origin
Mid 18th century: from forte2 + piano2.
Definition of fortepiano in US English:
fortepiano
nounfôrtāˈpyanōfɔrteɪˈpjænoʊ
Music A piano, especially of the kind made in the 18th and early 19th centuries.
Example sentencesExamples
- Although fortepianos have higher decay rates than their 20th Century cousins, Bilson manipulates that decay with such skill you can feel the tail of silence quiver.
- Of uncertain origins, he was one of the community of émigré musicians who made an itinerant orchestral career in Britain, playing a variety of wind and string instruments, the fortepiano, and the cittern.
- The piano teacher gives all lessons on an early fortepiano that has a knee lever for operating the damper mechanism.
- The pianist's clipped articulation does suggest a fortepiano more than a modern concert grand, but interpretively, Kovacevich presents Beethoven as a nose-thumber out to turn things on their ears.
- He demonstrates on a Stein fortepiano alongside the Steinway, discussing his decisions about articulation and dynamics in key passages.
Origin
Mid 18th century: from forte + piano.