Two unique instruments were created by two Florentine personalities in the seventeenth century. But only the piano will become a global sensation. The first person is Domenico Del Mela, who is credited with creating the first vertical piano in 1739. Del Mela was born in Galliano in 1681 or 1683.
Del Mela, a priest and educator, took his cues from the fortepiano creator Bartolomeo Cristofori and was influenced by the clavicyer. Compared to the tail piano of the day, its vertical piano, with a harmonic table set vertically, was a major breakthrough.
This instrument, which has a harmonic casing that spreads upwards and a 45-key keyboard, is kept at the Museum of Musical Instruments of Florence. Apple passed away on July 15, 1755.
The other person is Bartolomeo Cristofori, who is credited with creating the fortepiano, the forerunner of the modern piano. Cristofori was born in Padua on May 4, 1655. Cristofori invented the fortepiano while employed at the Florence court of the Medici family between 1698 and 1702.
The fortepiano made by Cristofori was not like the harpsichords of the day; instead of being pinched, the cords were pounded by hammers covered in mud. The term “Fortepiano” comes from the ability to play both strongly and slowly due to the increased dynamic expressiveness that resulted from this.
Three pieces from his forties have made it to us, one from 1722 that is kept in the National Museum of Musical Instruments of Rome1. Cristofori passed away on January 27, 1732, in Florence.
