Classical Fortepiano Performed by Daniel Adam Maltz at the Raven Performing Arts Theater

Last evening at the Raven Theater in Healdsburg, CA, the sparse audience in attendance was rewarded by a virtuoso fortepiano performance by Daniel Adam Maltz; a magical waltz back into the 18th C; Classical Music Epoch.  The program selected by Maltz was all Mozart and Haydn.  This made for an arresting, musical performance with vast tonal variations and compositional dynamics.  The fortepiano originated after a century after the harpsichord which has limited nuance and a twangy vibrational sound. The fortepiano prior to the piano with more developed musical capabilities.  Is there a difference between fortepiano and pianoforte?  No. Both terms signify soft/quiet (piano) and loud/gusto (forte).   Older instruments are commonly referred to as fortepiano but their meanings are interchangeable.  Program notes aside, it's interesting to note Hayden and Mozart were extremely close friends who shared a special bond as only two, true geniuses can sans envy.  Both Haydn (b. 1732-1809) and Mozart (b. 1756-1791)  were born in Austria.  Haydn, known as the Father of the Symphony is also the father of string quartet composition and as a fond, father figure to the much younger Mozart. Their age discrepancy was insignificant but their admiration and respect for each other was extraordinary.  Mozart's own father was known for exhibiting his son's prestigious gifts in front of royalty and in reality pushed his son relentlessly. Haydn, bemoaning the untimely death of his musical peer, reportedly told his father posthumously there was no greater composer than Mozart.  Much is owed to both Haydn and Mozart's contributions to classical music.  Mozart composed and submitted several magnificent string quartet compositions with great deference.  The evening's program demonstrated the fortepiano's abilities for sudden dynamic changes and use of building crescendos with molto expresso mood shifts.  Much can  be lauded about the talented playing by Maltz.  Maltz at age 12 made his orchestral debut and Carnegie Hall debut at 22. Maltz maintains joint US/Israeli citizenships.  His primary musical focus is on Haydn, Mozart, Beethoven and Schubert.  Maltz was soft-spoken and unfazed, perhaps even delighted by the faux pas applause between movements.  I hope he will honor our local stage again and grace us with another evening of impassioned, classical music performed on fortepiano, pianoforte or piano.  I'm for any of the aforementioned.