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INSTRUMENTS

                            

Fortepiano after Nanette Streicher, 1814

            

Johannes Stein is considered the father of the fortepiano, for it was he who made the style of fortepiano that became so popular at the end of the 18th century. It was the piano that Mozart favoured. Making its debut in Vienna in the 1770s, this type of instrument became known as the Viennese piano, and changed the style of making forever. Nanette Streicher was Stein's daughter. She, with her husband, carried on the tradition of making and developing fortepianos well into the 19th century.

 

 

       

 

 

 

 

detail of Streicher fortepiano

 

 

Fortepiano after Michael Rosenberger, c.1795

 

This instrument is a reproduction of the Michael Rosenberger piano, c.1795, which may be seen at Finchcocks, in Goudhurst, Kent. It has a wooden frame and the case is Cherry wood. The keys are made from ebony with bone accidentals. It has two knee levers, one sustaining and one moderator. The compass is FF to c3.   

 

 

 

 

 

Detail of the two knee levers

 

 

  Broadwood Square Piano c.1814

This is an original Broadwood Square Piano. These instruments were quite common in the 19th century. You will often find references to this type of piano in Jane Austen's novels. A good English piano found in the home, for the young ladies to perfect their musical skills.

 

 Clavichord after Bodechtel

 

This instrument is based on an instrument, now in private ownership, made by Johann Jacob Bodechtel in Nuremberg c.1785. It is a fretted instrument, the compass has been extended down to BB which gives the player an extended choice of repertoire.