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Re: piano tuning and the 256 Hz middle C



At 13:14 11/25/97 -0600, you wrote:
1891 International Pitch A=435
...
I wonder if you have had time or opportunity to research my question yet.
...
tell me where I should tune my 1867 Steinway, to be historically correct?
Clarence Bennett

I am not at all sure this has much appeal for the list - but since my books
are back on the shelves - this is what I have:
(Now is the time to step on if necessary!)

Handel's tuning fork (422.5Hz) sounds about a
semitone flat in comparison to today's pitch.
Bach found it necessary to down transpose organ parts for orchestral
works.
In reaction to rising pitch settings, a French commission, (the
Paris Academy 1858-1859) recommended fixing "diapason normal" at
435Hz at 59degF and maybe
439Hz at 68degF - the latter being considered average concert hall
temperature - giving 'concert pitch'.
However this statement is arguable, some authorities representing
that the French commission specified an absolute pitch of 435Hz
(This was known in the U.S as "French Pitch" or "International pitch"
according to EncBrit 15th ed)
Vienna (1889) ratified the French values.
(New College Encyclopedia of Music, Westrup & Harrison, Norton)

The Harvard Dictionary of Music Apel, Belknap has cautionary words
about pitch values represented by modern authors to apply to music
of several centuries ago.
It offers 440 Hz as Stuttgart pitch (Scheibler 1834)
and 446 Hz at Paris, Grand Opera.(1856)

EncBrit 14th ed offers the insight that opera houses drew their
wind players from military bands whose instruments were often sharp -
following the fashion set by the emperor of Russia (1814)
It offers a tantalizing hint of your topic: "In the U.S the Steinway
pitch of the 1880's went as high as 458 and this "concert pitch" was
still common even 40 years later."

It seems to me that you would not be doing the historical record any
injury by using a setting between 435 & 439Hz (Paris Academy 1859)
but I would be tempted in your position to write Steinway ( if they
do indeed still exist) for their advice.

Sincerely




brian whatcott <inet@intellisys.net>
Altus OK