This is a plea for help and advice. At the Music School we have a Dowd harpsichord with a transposing keyboard and a McNulty fortepiano (a Walter copy). In a couple of weeks our early music ensemble wants to perform a CPE Bach concerto for Hps and fortepiano. The fortepiano is designed to be tuned to A=430. The ensemble tunes to A=415, no problem for the hps. My question is whether the fortepiano can be successfully tuned down the approximately 60 cents to A=415. I am not only concerned about the consequences of ratcheting the soft iron strings up and down to accomodate various ensembles and instruments, but also wonder whether the strings will have sufficient tension for decent tone at that level. Expert advice and experience will be appreciated. Charles Ball University of Texas at Austin
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