In celebration of the 370th anniversary of the birth of the inventor of the piano, Bartolomeo Cristofori, on 4 May 1655, this playlist explores early works for the fortepiano. Cristofori is believed to have built his first piano around 1700; an instrument built in 1720 is the oldest surviving today (Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York).

This playlist focuses on Lodovico Giustini's 2 Sonate da cimbalo di piano e forte detto volgarmente di martelletti, Op. 1 (12 Sonatas for keyboard with loud and soft, popularly called with hammers). Published in 1732, these sonatas are the first known works to have been written specifically for the piano.

Movements from Giustini's sonatas are interspersed with works by Domenico Scarlatti. While Scarlatti is most often associated with the harpsichord, he is believed to have had access to fortepianos in the royal palaces of Spain. Scarlatti's patron and student, Queen Maria Barbara de Braganza of Spain, purchased five instruments by Cristofori or his pupil Giovanni Ferrini. In this playlist, David Schrader plays sonatas by Scarlatti on a replica of an instrument built by Cristofori.

The playlist also includes sonata movements by Haydn, Mozart and Beethoven, showcasing the mastery of piano composition achieved in the first century of the instrument's existence. We hear Robert Levin play Mozart on the composer's own fortepiano (Anton Walter, 1782). Tom Beghin explores new interpretative potential in Beethoven's sonatas, on replicas of the composer's Broadwood and Erard pianos.

Listen below, or on our Spotify Playlist - Bartolomeo Cristofori.

Lodovico Giustini: Sonata No.1 in G Minor, Op. 1, No. 1: I. Balletto. Spiritoso, ma non presto

Andrea Coen

Domenico Scarlatti: Keyboard Sonata in C Minor, K.84: Allegro

David Schrader

Lodovico Giustini: Sonata No.1 in C Minor, Op. 1, No. 2: II. Corrente. Allegro

Andrea Coen

Joseph Haydn: Adagio in F Major, Hob. XVII:9

Bobby Mitchell

Lodovico Giustini: Sonata No.1 in F Major, Op. 1, No. 3: I. Siciliana. Affettuoso

Andrea Coen

Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart: Piano Sonata No. 18 in D Major, K.576: I. Allegro

Robert Levin

Lodovico Giustini: Sonata in E Minor, Op.1, No. 4: III. Sarabanda. Largo

Andrea Coen

Ludwig van Beethoven: Sonata No. 30 in E Major, Op. 1099: I. Vivace ma non troppe - Adagio espressivo

Tom Beghin

Lodovico Giustini: Sonata in D Major, Op. 1, No. 5: V. Tempo di Gavotta

Andrea Coen

Domenico Scarlatti: Keyboard Sonata in F Minor, K.386: Presto

David Schrader

Lodovico Giustini: Sonata in Bb Major, Op. 1, No. 6: IV. Giga. Allegro

Andrea Coen

Joseph Haydn: Keyboard Sonata No. 38 in F Major, Hob. XVI:23: III. Finale (Presto)

Bobby Mitchell

Lodovico Giustini: Sonata in G Major, Op. 1, No. 7: IV. Gavotta. Presto

Andrea Coen

Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart: Piano Sonata No. 9 in D Major, K.311: II. Andantino con espressione

Robert Levin

Lodovico Giustini: Sonata in A Major, Op. 1, No. 8: I. Sarabanda. Affettuoso

Andrea Coen

Domenico Scarlatti: Keyboard Sonata in D Minor, K.52: Andante moderato

David Schrader

Lodovico Giustini: Sonata in F Minor, Op. 1, No. 10: II. Canzone. Tempo di gavotta

Andrea Coen

Ludwig van Beethoven: Piano Sonata in F Minor, No. 23, Op. 57: II. Andante con moto

Tom Beghin