h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

Bryce is 100% right: the primer name for this keyboard instrument was pianoforte
owing to the possibility to modify the strenght of sound expression by modifying the
stress put on the keyboard by proper play action . Former keyboard instruments,
like harpsichor, clavicembalo, clavichord ( each one differing from the other either
by plucking mechanism or by hammering system) are very difficult to express dynamic
changes in their sound, when played. However, clavichord permits "pianos" and "fortes"
in a certain degree by means of some primitive mechanism.It increases or diminishes the
number of strings to be hammered. As a recorder player, I had been accompanied by
my teacher, also a clavichord player. My impression is that this instrument fits
with a more intimate, silent and reduced audience, sitting close to the instrument
and suffering of noise traumatism in a lesser degree than most people in our times.
Beside this, harpsichords and their relatives are more "offensive" to nerves than
a well played piano. One is able to listen to Scarlatti's sonatas played in cembalo
by Wanda Landowska or by Ralph Kirpatrick only for a whuile, not so when listening
to Vladimir Horowitz. . .

Has anyone ever tried to buy a harpsichord these days? We all know how much they cost. Although they did have a nice one on one of those Open University programmes a few years ago.