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Title: The World's Oldest Surviving Piano Sounds Better Than You'd Think
Source:
Musical Toronto
URL Source: http://www.musicaltoronto.org/2016/ ... an-haydn-mozart-and-beethoven/
Published: Dec 7, 2016
Author: Musical Toronto
Post Date: 2016-12-13 20:21:14 by X-15
Keywords: piano
Views: 721
Comments: 19
While music is inherently ephemeral art form, preserved historical instruments provide a tangible link to our musical past. But pianos are delicate creatures, and unlike violins, violas, and cellos, they get actually worse with age, not better. So when we find a video featuring a performance on a piano nearly 300 years old, the oldest known in existence today, it is a very special treat. And what makes it all the more extraordinary is just how good it sounds. This priceless instrument was made in 1720 by the inventor of the piano, Bartolomeo Cristofori (1655-1731). The video features pianist Dongsok Shin performing one of the first pieces ever written for the piano — a Sonata composed in 1732 from the 12 Sonate da cimbalo di piano e forte detto volgarmente di martelletti, Op. 1, by Lodovico Giustini (1685-1743). The early fortepiano is part of the collections at Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York and is the oldest of three surviving Cristofori pianos. Take a listen here: Poster Comment: It sounds more like a harpsichord to me.
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#1. To: X-15 (#0)
The case gives off the resonance of a harpsichord, but there's a dynamic range enabled through the use of Crisofori's escapement action that's not possible with older instruments like the harpsicord or clavicord. Damn, that's impressive, thanks. “The most dangerous man to any government is the man who is able to think things out... without regard to the prevailing superstitions and taboos. Almost inevitably he comes to the conclusion that the government he lives under is dishonest, insane, intolerable.” ~ H. L. Mencken
VERY cool! Thanks for posting it. I'm betting that guy was so excited to get a chance to play it he had to put on a pair of Depends before he sat down at the bench.
I thought there were Harpsichord Stores in every neighborhood, not just the marginal ones like mine. Ours. It actually raises my spirits a bit to know that someone is making a living selling harpsichords less that three miles from my abode.
“I am not one of those weak-spirited, sappy Americans who want to be liked by all the people around them. I don’t care if people hate my guts; I assume most of them do. The important question is whether they are in a position to do anything about it. My affections, being concentrated over a few people, are not spread all over Hell in a vile attempt to placate sulky, worthless shits.” - William S Burroughs
Judas Priest tunes on a harpsichord....great with tea and biscuits!
It sounds more like a harpsichord to me.
#2. To: randge (#1)
The case gives off the resonance of a harpsichord, but there's a dynamic range enabled through the use of Crisofori's escapement action that's not possible with older instruments like the harpsicord or clavicord.
#3. To: X-15 (#0)
#4. To: X-15, randge, Lod, sneakypete (#0)
(Edited)
#5. To: Dakmar (#4)
-Alex Kurtagic
#6. To: Dakmar (#4)
-Alex Kurtagic
#7. To: Dakmar, randge, Lod (#4)
Jimi Hendrix - Hey Joe
-Alex Kurtagic
#8. To: X-15 (#5)
This instrument is musically similar to the pentagonal virginal but is built as a thick case “false inner-outer” model with painted exterior and lid. It has moldings and scrolled cheek blocks. I had no idea! No wonder the authorities are so intent on keeping down the harpsichord fans. Or something. Italian Rectangular Virginal style harpsichord:
“I am not one of those weak-spirited, sappy Americans who want to be liked by all the people around them. I don’t care if people hate my guts; I assume most of them do. The important question is whether they are in a position to do anything about it. My affections, being concentrated over a few people, are not spread all over Hell in a vile attempt to placate sulky, worthless shits.” - William S Burroughs
#9. To: Lod (#2)
What's more impressive is that this instrument tunes up to over a half ton of string tension. (Around 100 string at 12-15 lbs. each.) It's amazing that it's held up for over 300 years.
#10. To: X-15 (#7)
People look at me weird when I sing along. Boop boop boop, twee twee durp...
“I am not one of those weak-spirited, sappy Americans who want to be liked by all the people around them. I don’t care if people hate my guts; I assume most of them do. The important question is whether they are in a position to do anything about it. My affections, being concentrated over a few people, are not spread all over Hell in a vile attempt to placate sulky, worthless shits.” - William S Burroughs
#11. To: X-15 (#6)
SOMEBODY was VERY bored and had a lot of time on their hands or that one would have never been allowed to escape. Bohemian Rhapsody
#12. To: Dakmar (#10)
Gee,I wonder why? People look at me weird when I sing along. Boop boop boop, twee twee durp...
#13. To: sneakypete (#12)
They hate Mozart best I can tell.
“I am not one of those weak-spirited, sappy Americans who want to be liked by all the people around them. I don’t care if people hate my guts; I assume most of them do. The important question is whether they are in a position to do anything about it. My affections, being concentrated over a few people, are not spread all over Hell in a vile attempt to placate sulky, worthless shits.” - William S Burroughs
#14. To: Dakmar, randge, X-15, 4 (#10)
Clearly, the discussion has moved way over my pay-grade. Keep it going, I might learn some more.
“The most dangerous man to any government is the man who is able to think things out... without regard to the prevailing superstitions and taboos. Almost inevitably he comes to the conclusion that the government he lives under is dishonest, insane, intolerable.” ~ H. L. Mencken
#15. To: sneakypete (#12)
musiclady is OhioWfan for sure. Biddy extraordinaire. I was reading your stuff over there.
#16. To: sneakypete (#11)
SOMEBODY was VERY bored and had a lot of time on their hands or that one would have never been allowed to escape. Doesn't that define every sort of music except hymns and marches? (Bohemian Rhapsody)
“I am not one of those weak-spirited, sappy Americans who want to be liked by all the people around them. I don’t care if people hate my guts; I assume most of them do. The important question is whether they are in a position to do anything about it. My affections, being concentrated over a few people, are not spread all over Hell in a vile attempt to placate sulky, worthless shits.” - William S Burroughs
#17. To: Fred Mertz (#15) (Edited)
And we just KNOW she was one of the biddies lusting after Boy Jorge in his "tight jeans" as he pretended to cut brush at Ranch Photo Op,the only "ranch" in Texas with no cattle. Wish I still had the photos of Boy Jorge swapping spit with King Abdullah to post over there. They would make her pious head explode. Lost all that stuff when my last HDD died. I was reading your stuff over there. Almost a clinical display of passive-aggressive behavior,ain't it? There are so many mindless ex-FR refugee Bush-Bots over there it's almost like being back at FR. I don't shock easily,but it's shocking to see there are so many idiots left in the world that still think to this very day that the invasion of Iraq was a GOOD thing for America,and even for the world. I've having a hard time trying to make up my mind if they shouldn't be allowed to cross the street by themselves,or if they should be pushed out into the traffic,no blindfold needed. musiclady is OhioWfan for sure. Biddy extraordinaire.
#18. To: Dakmar (#16)
Doesn't that define every sort of music except hymns and marches? Marches are for the mindless drones that don't "get" music,and hymns are the root of bluegrass,country music,blues,and rock and roll. SOMEBODY was VERY bored and had a lot of time on their hands or that one would have never been allowed to escape.
#19. To: sneakypete (#18)
hymnos - greek - song of praise hymns are written to settle out the soul J.S.Bach - Hymn in C major Country Hymn Ethel Caffie Austin's Amazing Grace - Traditional Gospel Piano
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