Chickering tone

Gilreath@aol.com Gilreath@aol.com
Thu, 17 Apr 1997 22:20:42 -0400 (EDT)


In a message dated 97-04-17 19:13:28 EDT, you write:

<< Remember that this piano was designed for a maximum of A=435.  Going
higher
 than that will, at the very least, change the balance of the tone, with a
 possibility of some structural damage.  >>

Horace,

Maybe I'm wrong on this and someone can correct me, but I seem to remember
reading somewhere in the journal that A 435 was at about 59 degrees F while A
440 os measured at 72 degrees F.  This change in temp makes them about the
same.  Perhaps someone with a much better memory than mine can remember which
issue this was brought up in.

BTW, I personally enjoy that "old" Chickering sound and even the ones from
the late 1800's (since, as you mentioned, it is a different sound).  That's
one of the things that I think is of great importance, and is often
overlooked, when people try to give an "authentic period" performance just by
retuning to a different temperament.

Allan

Allan L. Gilreath, RPT
Gilreath Piano & Organ Co.
Berry College
Gilreath@aol.com
Calhoun, GA USA




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