GMG Classical Music Forum

The Music Room => General Classical Music Discussion => Topic started by: nakulanb on April 26, 2026, 12:41:46 AM

Title: Mozart & The Fortepiano
Post by: nakulanb on April 26, 2026, 12:41:46 AM
Mozart's Sonatas sound superior on the fortepiano.  He didn't hear them for the modern piano, after all!
Title: Re: Mozart & The Fortepiano
Post by: Mandryka on April 26, 2026, 04:10:39 AM
Well some of them sound good on clavichord and harpsichord -- which he may have had in mind as much as piano. Listen to these -- I think they're wonderful

https://open.spotify.com/track/5KtH1IMOWAnMdNGQdtOZrp?si=6e5f53b1e5f644b8

https://open.spotify.com/track/4eDpP9KCthMiFHovBG3mjD?si=ef6a4f829e2a4858

Title: Re: Mozart & The Fortepiano
Post by: nakulanb on April 26, 2026, 05:50:22 AM
Quote from: Mandryka on April 26, 2026, 04:10:39 AMWell some of them sound good on clavichord and harpsichord -- which he may have had in mind as much as piano. Listen to these -- I think they're wonderful

https://open.spotify.com/track/5KtH1IMOWAnMdNGQdtOZrp?si=6e5f53b1e5f644b8

https://open.spotify.com/track/4eDpP9KCthMiFHovBG3mjD?si=ef6a4f829e2a4858



Can you share YouTube links?
Title: Re: Mozart & The Fortepiano
Post by: nakulanb on April 26, 2026, 08:32:33 PM
Quote from: Mandryka on April 26, 2026, 04:10:39 AMWell some of them sound good on clavichord and harpsichord -- which he may have had in mind as much as piano. Listen to these -- I think they're wonderful

https://open.spotify.com/track/5KtH1IMOWAnMdNGQdtOZrp?si=6e5f53b1e5f644b8

https://open.spotify.com/track/4eDpP9KCthMiFHovBG3mjD?si=ef6a4f829e2a4858



I'm not a clavichord man myself.
Title: Re: Mozart & The Fortepiano
Post by: prémont on April 27, 2026, 06:59:37 AM
Quote from: nakulanb on April 26, 2026, 12:41:46 AMMozart's Sonatas sound superior on the fortepiano.  He didn't hear them for the modern piano, after all!

The modern piano is too poor in overtones to do justice to Mozart's often thin musical texture. Here instruments with more overtones (fortepiano, clavichord) are better, making the music sound fuller.
Title: Re: Mozart & The Fortepiano
Post by: San Antone on April 27, 2026, 07:31:17 AM
Quote from: prémont on April 27, 2026, 06:59:37 AMThe modern piano is too poor in overtones to do justice to Mozart's often thin musical texture. Here instruments with more overtones (fortepiano, clavichord) are better, making the music sound fuller.

Also with the shorter decay on fortepiano, the music is more transparent.  A modern piano can be a bit too ponderous for this music, IMO, although some pianists have done a good job with the sonatas on a modern instrument.