May I add a little more to this thread Concert Pitch here in Australia is A=440. The orchestra I work with asks for 440. Air con off is 440 and then it gets tuned later with a/c on and it is 2 cents sharp. We have an agreement that it is as close to 440 as possible, and if the piano goes over 441 I just let the oboist know. I would rather have stability than perfect 440hz. Overseas string players seem to want to always be at 442.. they believe it sounds better. (A Japanese violinist who lives 6 months in Australia and 6 months working with an European orchestra hates 440. and always tells me that we are flat compared to Japan and Europe) I have to add that the orchestras want the piano perfect... Is the orchestra always perfect ??? The Australian Chamber Orchestra publish in their programs that they tune at 441hz. I believe the reason is that concert halls are never at 20 degrees Celsius at 441 at 24 degrees ( the recommended temperature stated by the electricity companies)is close to 440hz. Mainland European orchestras want at least 442 and the Berlin Phil can be higher . I have a recording at 445. I am sure that it is 440 in England however they have a bit of fun when a mainland orchestra tours...good story was Daniel Barrenboim playing the Beethoven 32 in London and in between these recitals he played a concerto in Paris. the piano was left at 442 Steinway Hamburg recommend 443.. it's on the website The artistic dept of my orchestra always tells me in advance re pitch or requirements of the performer. There is always more to piano preparation. Ron, I am envious of your touring orchestras.. However I am surprised you have only one piano in the hall...would make it a little easier for you there was at least two pianos to choose from. Regards Brian Wilson _____ From: pianotech-bounces at ptg.org [mailto:pianotech-bounces at ptg.org] On Behalf Of RON MAY, RPT Sent: Thursday, 30 April 2009 10:38 AM To: Pianotech Subject: [pianotech] CONCERT PITCH 440/442? Surprisingly, in our little piece of paradise known as Vero Beach, FL We have a Symphonic Association for which I am proud to be the tuner. Since January 1 we have had seven (7) world class symphony orchestras and 5 terrific pianist. These symphonies consisted of the Dublin Philharmonic, The Czech Symphony, The Munich Symphony, The Estonian National Symphony, The National Philharmonic of Russia and two concerts with our own Bervard Symphony of which we are very proud. this is very much like all of the programs put on by our association annually. All symphonies and artists coming from Europe requested A442 which at the associations direction I produced. That is until about two years ago. I understand that Hamburg Steinway also demands or at least suggests 442. The problem is that our piano is used in a large church where it is played with a great pipe organ. There are also numerous recitals, concerts, etc using the piano weekly and other than our symphonic association and the European concerts, the piano is and was maintained at 440. This meant that every ttime the piano was tuned to 442, I had to go back in and bring it back down to 440 which even with this small difference, required a couple tunings because of stability problems. I had questioned this with the association prior to every concert. Fortunately, a member of the association has a PHD in piano performance and is in total agreement with me but we tried to keep everyone happy ---that is until a well known European symphony came to town with a really great pianist. As usual, I went up prior to the concert and met with the director and the artist to check on any possible problems with the piano. While talking, I asked them, "Why do we need 442 instead of 440"? to which the director started stamering around about the violins, the horns, the this, the that. The 1st violinest overheard the conversation and came running up all excited-and in broken english -Piano at 442 right - right. I answered yes, Its 442, I would just like to know WHY' The concert went on, It became time for the pianist to take his place at the piano, The violinist came forth to tune the orchestra to the piano. She struck A4 on the piano, walked away from the piano and 5 or 10 seconds later strumed what she thought she heard and tuned the orchestra she thought to the piano. I heard a beautiful Beethoven Concerto played on a beautiful piano tuned to A442 ----with an orchestra that was closer to 435. I was upset. I thank sombody on this list that made this suggestion some time ago which we now use. I wrote a form letter from the Symphonic Association Piano Technician that merely states that, "We will be happy to tune the piano to A442 for you, however, This fine piano is maintained at A440 to satisfy the majority of the artists as well as the church. If you wish the piano tuned to A442 we will be happy to do so, however, it will require that the piano be retuned back to A440 immediately after the concert and we will have no choice but to charge you $500.00 for the several tunings it will take to bring it back to 440.. Since then we have had no problems---that is until about 2 weeks ago. We had an orchestra,(no pianist) coming in demanding a piano and for it to be tuned A442. When we informed them of our situation they said fine, we will bring our own piano which they did. It was some kind of an electric keyboard that I would bet was maybe 439. Ron May Vero Beach No virus found in this incoming message. 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