Home / Music / Why did Beethoven title his piece "Hammerklavier"?Music linernotes album music ludwig-van-beethovenWhy did Beethoven title his piece "Hammerklavier"?Beethoven specified “Hammerklavier,” German for “hammer keyboard,” on the manuscript to demand it be played on a German-made fortepiano rather than an English one. Search Amazon As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.Related NotesExploreExploreExplorePrevious Why did Joni Mitchell write 'You Turn Me On, I'm a Radio'?Next Who were the vocal soloists at the premiere of Beethoven's Ninth?