HT's

[Billbrpt]

In a message dated 98-03-17 03:30:20 EST, you write:

<<  great concern of these pioneer piano makers  was the tuning, in particular
a method that would allow pieces in all 24 keys to be played on the same
tuning.  If Pleyel had any intention of showcasing these preludes on his
pianos in a particular temperament, it would be of greatest interest to tuners
today.   >>

In all likelyhood, Pleyel may have thought in terms of ET as Henry Steinway
and Broadwood may have.  But what their factory tuners and tuners of the
period actually did would not qualify as ET today.   Read some of the
supporting documentation surrounding the Broadwood chapters in Jorgensen's
book.  You will see that it is because of the temperament sequences (bearing
plans) that were actually used that a certain inequality was the result.

Curiously, this is analogous to what is happening today when tuners tune
Reverse-Well (RW).  They think in terms of and believe in ET but because of
their methods which are flawed and incomplete, the resultant temperament is
decidedly unequal without their even realizing it and unfortunately in
opposition to the the historically correct pattern of a WT or VT.

Bill Bremmer RPT
Madison, Wisconsin