Bach frequencies

[William E. Darst]

>This is the frequency table for the historical Bach tuning.
>Reconstructed by scientific methods. Usable for 24 Keys.
>"Das Wohltemperirte Clavier" was composed for this temperament.

Uh...........whoa, there pardner!   With all due respects to Mr. Kellner
and his valuable work. . . . I do believe that there is a lot of conjecture
and disagreement among modern scholars in regards to the sort of tuning
that J.S had in mind when he wrote the Well-Tempered Klavier.
Unfortunately, as soon as someone invokes the magic words "reconstructed by
scientific methods," a lot of people suddenly prostrate themselves. . . .
mindlessly babbling incantations of adulation to the god of science.

I'm sure I don't need to tell you that18th Century aesthetics of tuning,
which give each key its own particular "affect," admit a much greater
variety or range of what might be considered "in tune" in a given situation
than with today's homogenized approach.  Yet with that proviso, some pieces
in the WTC might be a little too spicy even for 18th Century tastes.
However, if one can divorce themselves from the notion that there is *one*
single tuning for the entire WTC (I mean - is it usual to sit down and play
the entire WTC in one sitting?) then some of the 18th Century tunings that
we know about i.e. Kirnberger, become practical alternatives as a starting
point.

Bill Darst
Music Dept
UC Santa Barbara