https://news.artnet.com/art-wo...oldest-piano-2516388

I can't guarantee the technical nor editorial accuracy of this article but thought it was interesting.

First line of the article: "The piano is arguably the single most important instrument of Western music. "

Well, that's a stretch and not true, imo.

I played a similar instrument, albeit from 1795, at the Frederick Historial Piano Collection. I loved it, very sweet, all wood, none of the harshness of ultra-stressed modern pianos. A really human instrument.

I agree.

My own thought was certain stringed instruments, e.g. the lute, were more fundamental to the history of Western music. Jmho.