Development of the Piano, 1709-1900

The history of the keyboard in 18th and 19th century is the story of the decline of the Clavichord and Harpsichord, and the rise of the pianoforte. The radical change was the result of technological innovations, inventive composers and performers and piano businesses.

The following sections present separate chronological histories that led to the establishment of the piano in 18th and 19th century Western Art music.

Inventors and their Technological Innovations

In the shuffle of music history, the importance of inventors is usually forgotten as the spotlight falls on compositional giants and virtuosic performers. However, it is equally jarring to realize that the Beethoven's Waldstein Sonata (op. 53) would have not been the same if it wasn't for the recently redesigned damper pedal on the pianoforte of the day.

The follow presents a short interactive timeline of piano innovations and also a short history of the development of the piano. Additionally, the development of the piano would not have been possible without the industrial revolution and the scientific advancements of the day; information on these topics are presented as well.

Timeline of the technological innovations

Composers & Performers

Asking whether the iron-frame piano came before or after Liszt's virtuosic playing is akin to asking the same question of the chicken and the egg. Throughout history, technology has influenced composers and performers, and likewise, the latter have pushed manufacturers to new piano designs. The following personas had the largest influential on the development of the piano in the 18th and 19th century.

Piano Manufacturers

It is impossible to separate economics from piano innovation and the music of the 18th and 19th century. The follow list, in chronological order, gives the major piano firms and information about their particular contributions to the piano and place in musical history.