History of the Piano

Watch, Listen, & Learn

The piano was only invented a little over 300 years ago, not all that long ago. Look around your house and pick something. Then find out when it was invented. Was it longer ago than you thought or more recent?

Listening Links

J.S. Bach - Prelude and Fugue in C Minor, BMV 846, from the Well-Tempered Clavier on four different instruments:

Clavichord
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dAv76VsNyaM

Harpsichord
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3AQHFYNk5NA

Fortepiano
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jiBQD0vV5qI

Piano
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gVah1cr3pU0

Player Piano

Circus Galop written for Player Piano in 1991-1994 by Marc-André Hamelin
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jv4epBitpic

Stravinsky Etude for Pianola
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7hum6PgRk6k