Fortepiano pitch levels

[Wolfley, Eric (WOLFLEEL)]

Dennis,

We only have one fortepiano here - a Phillip Belt copy of a 1769 Stein -
which we keep at A-440 because there is no call here for lower pitch. In my
investigations on the topic, I have come across a history of musical pitch
written by Ed Swenson which can be accessed via his website at:
http://www.mozartpiano.com/pitch.html  

I found it very interesting and often at odds with our conception of
historic pitch. For example, he lists A-441 as the pitch used by the Paris
opera in 1836-39 and A-445.4 as the pitch used at the Vienna Conservatory in
1845. These are measurements made of surviving tuning forks. I would be
interested in your opinion of whether your instrument clearly sounds better
at either pitch, or just different.

Eric

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Eric Wolfley
Head Piano Technician
Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music
University of Cincinnati
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

 -----Original Message-----
From: 	Dennis Johnson [mailto:johnsond@stolaf.edu] 
Sent:	Wednesday, August 28, 2002 12:49 PM
To:	caut@ptg.org
Subject:	Fortepiano pitch levels


Hello-

I would be interested to know how others deal with requests for various
pitch
levels on forte pianos. Our school just acquired and new, large Reiger piano
and I meet with the piano department tomorrow to try and articulate a
"policy".   I see no way around getting caught in the middle between those
who
want it for chamber music with modern instruments and the pianists (and
vocalists) who seem to like the lower pitch.  I had hoped to keep it around
A430.  Obviously I am most concerned about avoiding pulling it up and down
and
I find it hard to believe that any serious forte piano player would be
satisfied at 440.  I even think it is even better for the instrument at the
lower pitch, but maybe that is just my imagination.  Any advise or
experience
with this is welcome. Public or private.


thanks,

Dennis Johnson
St. Olaf College