Which Temperament

Anne Beetem abeetem@wizard.net
Fri, 3 Oct 1997 21:01:33 -0400


At 08:23 PM 10/3/97 +0000, you wrote:
>Dear list,

>Is there any other sources where I can get a kind Top Ten Chart of the 
>commonly used temperament from 16th to 19th century?
>
>For example, what would you suggest for someone playing a piece from 
>Couperin?
>


French Ordinaire, naturellement.  To choose the correct temperament, you
need to know what they are playing.  The temperament depends upon such
considerations as the composer and country and the year, as composers would
change their tune so to speak.  Buxtehude is a fine example of this.
Personally, I can't see playing Couperin on a piano, anyway.  If the player
wants to play across a spectrum you need to give them a reasonable compromise.  

Anne Beetem
Harpsichords & Historic Pianos.



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