In a message dated 11/6/98 12:29:20 PM Central Standard Time, ricard@propiano.com writes: << String players don't really care as long as it creeps "higher and higher"...in a never ending spiral toward the heavens. The winds however react with great disdain to such capers...preferring an absolute pitch. >> The Madison (Wisconsin) Symphony Orchestra, Chorus and Opera Music Director and principal oboist always insist on standard pitch, A-440. The oboist is on the faculty of the University of Wisconsin School of Music and it is my understanding that the policy is the same there too. All orchestras and ensembles tune to A-440. When tuning the piano for a concerto, I believe it is better to have A4 at 440 and to stretch the upper octaves as much as possible. This way, all instruments tune to the usual standard pitch but the tendency for the strings to creep higher and higher in their upper registers is matched by the stretch in the piano's octaves. Starting at a higher pitch only tends to start a "competition" for pitch between the piano and the other instruments. Bill Bremmer RPT Madison, Wisconsin
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