Strange sounds filled Manhattan's Carnegie Hall one afternoon last week. The occasion was a recital by Pianist Hans Earth, to show the development of the pianoforte of the past, present, future. It began with the 1750 period and the harpsichord; the instrument played was an exact model of Handel's and Beethoven's, with plectrums made of real crows' quills and leather. Then came a group for the modern grand piano which differs from the harpsichord in that it has padded hammers which produce tones by striking (rather than plucking at) tightly stretched metal...
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