A-440 again

[Michael Gamble]

Hello Avery T and List
The London Philharmonic Orchestra, LSO and Philharmonia etc. in UK use 
strictly A=440. All orchestras in this country do. The only exceptions are 
the period instrument orchestras where they use A=430 or A=415. I have even 
come across A=397! (Les Arts Florissants) On the European Continent they do 
tend to be sharper - Vienna Philharmonic A=445. But you're right. Stick to 
your guns and go for A=440. I once had a judgement from the then leader of 
the LPO who asked what pitch I was tuning a harpsichord to? I told him 
A=441. He said "Please could you put it to A=440? I drink, sleep and smoke 
440 and anything else is painful". Needless to say in the interval I tuned 
the Harpsichord down to 440 and this made him happy.
Regards
Michael G.(UK)
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Avery Todd" <avery1@houston.rr.com>
To: "pianotech" <pianotech@ptg.org>
Sent: Wednesday, April 20, 2005 6:45 PM
Subject: A-440 again


> List,
>
> This has come up again because of one particular string (viola) teacher 
> here. There was evidently a blow-up of some kind at a Chamber Orchestra 
> rehearsal last week because of
> his insistence, as soloist, that they tune to A-442. His primary argument 
> for doing
> so is that "all the major orchestras tune at least to A-442".
>
> I understand the Cleveland orchestra doesn't. Is that still true and does 
> anyone know of
> any other major orchestras who use A-440?
>
> My biggest problem with it here is that as far as I know, everyone (except 
> him and maybe
> 1-2 other string players) like it at 440 and I personally just don't want 
> to be tuning
> instruments back and forth to accommodate this A**. And yes, he really is!
>
> I thought I'd gotten this problem settled years ago but evidently not. 
> :-( Anyone have
> any quick ammunition I can give to the Director? He's caught in the middle 
> of it.
> Thankfully, though, this time it doesn't involve a piano.
>
> Thanks.
>
> Avery Todd
> University of Houston
>
>