Fortepiano

[Geoff Pollard]

Avery,

We have had a Maene fortepiano here at Sydney Conservatorium since 
1998. For its first few years it was kept at A 430, which was set 
from the factory. I understand this to be termed 'classical pitch' ; 
as distinct from A 440 - modern and A 415 - baroque pitch. After a 
few changes of teaching staff, I found it was not being used and I 
tuned it first to 415 ( to be useful to the early music students) and 
now to 440 ( for the early music students playing on modern pitched 
instruments). I consulted with Chris Maene before moving it to 440 - 
he confirmed that there would be no harm to the instrument. After a 
period of stabilising it's now fine.

Historically, I believe 440 pitch is pretty 'unauthentic' for this 
copy of a Walter from the Vienna of the 1830's. But with only modern 
instruments ( strings, winds ) available at the moment, it is at 
least being used.

I have an old email contact for Chris: info@maene.be

Regards,
Geoffrey Pollard
Piano Technician
Sydney Conservatorium of Music

>Would anyone happen to know for sure if Fortepiano reproductions,
>specifically a Maene, are designed to be tuned to A-440. Since
>our new one is app. 1/2 step low, I'm assuming it should be
>A-415.
>
>Thanks for any info.
>
>Avery