Fortepiano

Fortepiano 2, originally uploaded by susanvg.

I went to a wonderful concert in an art gallery. On the programme were three piano trios by Haydn, played on historic instruments (Ellie Nimeroski: baroque violin, Amanda Keesmaat: baroque cello and Tim Beghin: pianoforte), so the music sounded as it would have in Haydn's time. This is the pianoforte. The pianoforte is an early piano, only 5 octaves and no sustain pedal. The hammers are lighter so the sound is clearer and brighter. This one is made in the style of a Walter pianoforte, which is one of the pianos Mozart owned. If you want to learn more about it, go to The History of Mozart in a Dozen Objects and scroll down to Prog. 4.

Here's another view of the instrument.

Day 294: Oriental Instrument

Day 294: Oriental Instrument, originally uploaded by susanvg.

I went out to eat in a Vietnamese restaurant and as part of the decor there were instruments on the wall. This one may be a Dan Ty Ba. I found a photograph of someone playing one here. It is a plucked instrument, supposedly with a sweet sound. I would love to hear it played rather than see it on a wall.

Music is so essential to the human spirit - every culture has invented some kind of instrument. It is amazing to see the variety: percussion, wind instruments, strings that are plucked,bowed or hammered, horns - these seem to be common to many cultures. Humans have the need to communicate and express themselves through the language of music.

Addendum: My spouse found a site with more information about the ty ba. I then found a YouTube video of a girl playing the ty ba.