Fortepiano Mozart

Audio Samples:

NEUPERT‘s MOZART fortepiano has its origin in period fortepianos from the last quarter of the 18th century that are part of the NEUPERT collection (now in the Germanisches Nationalmuseum, Nuremberg).

The main model chosen by NEUPERT for the creation of this instrument was a fortepiano by Johann Jakob Könnicke (1756 - 1811), Vienna 1796.

However NEUPERT did not restrict itself to copying an instrument slavishly. Individual elements from fortepianos by Anton Walter and Johann Andreas Stein were added to the instrument‘s construction as well as the workshop‘s own ideas. The result is a fortepiano distinguished by the light touch and the delicate, bright sound of authentic instruments from the pre-classical and classical period.

The five octave compass of this keyboard was never exceeded by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart and by Ludwig van Beethoven not earlier than in the „Waldstein Sonata“ (op. 53 from 1804).

For decades, during which the instrument was continually improved, NEUPERT‘s MOZART fortepiano has successfully passed the demanding test of numerous concert halls, opera houses and conservatories. At the same time it has proved to be the ideal instrument for amateurs, playing the music of Mozart and his contemporaries at home.

Technical details:

• keyboard compass: F₁ - f³ (5 octaves)
• double strung; Viennese action („Prellzungenmechanik“)
• naturals ebony, sharps covered by ivory-like plastic
• 2 kneelevers (forte, moderator )
• length 205 cm (6‘11“), width 93 (3‘1“), net weight 90 kg

Additional equipment:

• Panelled lid
• Pedals instead of kneelevers
• Covers and benches matching the instrument