File:A description and history of the pianoforte and of the older keyboard stringed instruments (1896) (14780474362).jpg

Identifier: descriptionhisto00hipk (find matches)
Title: A description and history of the pianoforte and of the older keyboard stringed instruments
Year: 1896 (1890s)
Authors: Hipkins, Alfred J. (Alfred James), 1826-1903
Subjects: Piano Piano Keyboard instruments
Publisher: London, Novello
Contributing Library: Wellesley College Library
Digitizing Sponsor: Boston Library Consortium Member Libraries

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Organo-Piano of Signor Caldera, thepatent for which in the United Kingdom is held by Messrs. Metzlerand Co., London. The principle is original as a piece ofmechanism, the apparently sustained effect being produced byreiterated blows from small hammers placed above the ordinaryhammers, suspended from a bar which is kept in motion by a fly-wheel and pedal controlled by the performer. A crescendo is * Adam Walker, Patent No. 1,020.t Mott, Patent No. 4,098. 98 THE SOSTENKXTE. obtained by a knee movement wliich raises the bar and bringsthe httle hammers nearer to the strings. The sustained tone ofmusic wire has a peculiar charm, but after all that may be said iulavour of the sostenente in keyboard stringed instruments, withsustained sounds they are pianoforte or harpsichord no longer.The character is changed ; a new treatment is demanded anddifferent order ol composition. The ideal character of evanescenttone associated with these instruments, and especially the pianoforte,is not there. H
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part 3. HISTOKICAL. THE EAKLY PIANOFOETE. Befoke tue Tnteoduction of Ibon in its Construction, 1709—1820. Phe liist compositions published, so far as I InioW; for Lliei^ianoforte are contained in a volume tiius entitled:— Sonate,Da Cimbalo di piano e forte detto volgarm^nte di Martellatti.Dedicato a Sua Altezza Reale. II serenissimo D. Antonio InfanteDi Portogallo E Composito Da D. Lodovico Giustini di Pistoia.Opera Prima Firenze MDCCXXXII. That is, Cimbalo orCembalo, with Piano and Forte, commonly called Cimbalo, withlittle hammers ; Cimbalo being originally the Psaltery, or, withna,mmers, the Dulcimer ; it was later employed, but usually asCembalo, for the Harpsichord. The invention of the Paduan harpsichord maker, BartolommeoCristofori, in Florence, in 1709 or thereabouts, had thus alreadybecome so well known as to have Sonatas composed for theinstrument, and published as early as 1732, the year after Cristoforidied. The uncertainty which hung over, or was supposed to effect th

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