Early Pianos
The 1781 Square Piano by Christopher Ganer is of the type created in London in the mid-1760s by Johannes Zumpe, with the dampers raised by hand-levers rather than a pedal. Norris’s researches have revealed that composers like JC Bach and James Hook wrote Piano Concertos and Sonatas specifically for this engaging little instrument, and that the World’s First Piano Concerto was written for it in London in 1769 by the Fattest Man in England. Norris has recorded highlights of this repertoire with Monica Huggett and Sonnerie.
See Picture Gallery.
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