for·te·pia·no
ˌfȯr-ˌtā-pē-ˈa-(ˌ)nō 
also
-ˈä-(ˌ)nō
: an early form of the piano originating in the 18th and early 19th centuries and having a smaller range and softer timbre than a modern piano
forte-piano
2 of 2adverb or adjective
for·te-pi·a·no
ˌfȯr-ˌtā-pē-ˈä-(ˌ)nō
ˌfȯr-tē-
: loud then immediately soft
—used as a direction in music
Examples of fortepiano in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Christian Hertzog, San Diego Union-Tribune, 5 June 2023
Berry brought a six-octave instrument modeled on the Viennese fortepianos that Anton Walter made.
—Christian Hertzog, San Diego Union-Tribune, 5 June 2023
Maltz specializes in Viennese fortepiano (also known as pianoforte), combining his musicianship with historical techniques.
—San Diego Union-Tribune, 5 Feb. 2023
An impossible challenge: Choose a single track from the dozens in Robert Levin’s tirelessly lively, eloquent collection of Mozart’s piano sonatas, recorded on their composer’s own fortepiano.
—New York Times, 22 Dec. 2022
His Mozart is beautiful without ever being pretty—the fortepiano’s innate pungency makes sure of that.
—Alex Ross, The New Yorker, 14 Nov. 2022
With the fortepiano’s tang and grit, these pieces came across more as miniature tone poems than as salon confections.
—Alex Ross, The New Yorker, 14 Nov. 2022
The concert is performed by eight PBO musicians and features a replica of Mozart’s own fortepiano.
—oregonlive, 30 June 2021
In both the latter two pieces, Richman, usually seen here as a harpsichordist, proved no less nimble at the fortepiano (as early pianos are called these days).
—Scott Cantrell, Dallas News, 16 Nov. 2020
See More
Noun
Mozart and Haydn both owned a Walter fortepiano, and Beethoven wished for one.
—Christian Hertzog, San Diego Union-Tribune, 5 June 2023
Berry brought a six-octave instrument modeled on the Viennese fortepianos that Anton Walter made.
—Christian Hertzog, San Diego Union-Tribune, 5 June 2023
Maltz specializes in Viennese fortepiano (also known as pianoforte), combining his musicianship with historical techniques.
—San Diego Union-Tribune, 5 Feb. 2023
An impossible challenge: Choose a single track from the dozens in Robert Levin’s tirelessly lively, eloquent collection of Mozart’s piano sonatas, recorded on their composer’s own fortepiano.
—New York Times, 22 Dec. 2022
His Mozart is beautiful without ever being pretty—the fortepiano’s innate pungency makes sure of that.
—Alex Ross, The New Yorker, 14 Nov. 2022
With the fortepiano’s tang and grit, these pieces came across more as miniature tone poems than as salon confections.
—Alex Ross, The New Yorker, 14 Nov. 2022
The concert is performed by eight PBO musicians and features a replica of Mozart’s own fortepiano.
—oregonlive, 30 June 2021
In both the latter two pieces, Richman, usually seen here as a harpsichordist, proved no less nimble at the fortepiano (as early pianos are called these days).
—Scott Cantrell, Dallas News, 16 Nov. 2020
See More
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'fortepiano.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
Dictionary Entries Near fortepiano
Cite this Entry
“Fortepiano.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/fortepiano. Accessed 1 Dec. 2023.
Copy Citation
More from Merriam-Webster on fortepiano
Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about fortepiano
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share