Mozart's fortepiano back in Vienna for 2 weeks only

A fortepiano played on by Mozart almost on a daily basis was put on show on Thursday in the Austrian composer's former Vienna home, now a museum, but for two weeks only. The Anton Walter instrument, a forerunner to the modern piano, was purchased by Mozart soon after moving to Vienna in 1781 and accompanied his creative life until his death 10 years later aged 35, the Mozarthaus said. "Its brilliant and beautiful sound inspired more than 50 works for piano -- concertos, chamber music, but also solo sonatas, variations and rondos -- and during Mozart’s concerts the audience enthused about its sound," the museum said. On November 7, Russian pianist Alexander Melnikov will perform on the instrument works by Mozart, including some written in the very building at Domgasse 5. The instrument is on loan from the Mozarteum Foundation in Salzburg, Mozart's city of birth.