| THE CLAVICHORD |
| This soft-voiced keyboard instrument, already popular
in the 15th century, looks like an oblong box. Thin strings extend
from the left over the soundboard bridge to tuning pins on the right.
Keys are on one long side. By depressing down a key, the far end of
the key lever see-saws upward until a tooth-like metal tangent protruding
from it presses a set of strings. This produces both tone and pitch.
When tangent pressure is released, felt cloth woven among the strings
on the left automatically dampens the sound. Minute changes in finger
pressure can offer a vibrato, or subtle variations in dynamics and
articulation, making the clavichord an extremely sensitive and expressive
keyboard instrument. |
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| THE EARLY AND MODERN PIANO |
| Eighteenth century wooden- framed fortepianos of
Germany and Austria, with their light, flexible tones, suggest a technique
based on the clavichord. Haydn, Mozart, Carl Philipp Emanuel Bach
and Wilhelm Friedemann Bach played and composed for both instruments.
In England, however, the colorful early pianoforte was linked to the
more brilliant harpsichord. Gradually piano structure added metal
parts, more notes, warmer, sustained tones, and wider contrasts in
dynamics and color. Liszt, with his virtuosic piano playing, could
imply a full orchestra.The best metal-framed pianos built as late
as the early twentieth century are more responsive in tone and action
than those built today. |
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