Definitions for "Fortepiano"
The wooden-framed eighteenth-century piano used by Mozart, Haydn, and their contemporaries.
Early pianos were called 'fortepiano', 'pianoforte' and 'piano forte'. Fortepiano usually is taken to refer to period instruments of the Viennese type. They will have wooden frames, iron and brass stings, light leather covered hammers which are attached to the key levers and appear to face bachwards compared to other pianos.