From Paul Williams <pwilliams4@unl.edu>
Joe, you're probably right that Beethoven probably never saw it since
nobody rarely travelled that far in those days.I'm not educated on his
travels. Still, probably somebody of note probably did, locally, as
pianos were few and far between back then. Who might have played this?
Mighty curious on this one!
As for pitch, you're probably right! It could have any range on pitch
center. Anywhere from 415 to 430 or so plus or minus. Who really knows?
Back then, each town in Europe or Asia had the "king" of the city
determine what was the true pitch, so we may never know where it was
designed to be. I would guess something in the A415-435 range, since
"western". The farther east we go, the higher the pitch it seems. Even now
in the modern world. Any orchestra coming from say, Germany and east
wants a higher pitch on the piano. At least that's what I encounter at the
university. I haven't been asked for higher than A-442 though. I'm sure
some ask for higher somewhere. Stretching octaves is another story.
Perlman, for instance, likes really stretched out octaves. Too late for
me last year. But he loved it'! I stretch octaves a bit beyond the norm...
Paul
On 11/27/12 3:54 PM, "Joseph Garrett" <joegarrett@earthlink.net> wrote:
>David,
>just perused all of the photos. It seems to be in very good condition. I
>have done a restoration/rebuild on one very much like that one. I would
>not
>refinish it! From an aesthetic standpoint and from an historic standpoint
>it is not needed or warranted. It does need to restrung and have the scale
>evaluated and redone so that the instrument can be tuned to 440cps w/o
>overstressing that "strutted construction". What you didn't show, was the
>elaboate beaming under the piano! That sucker's pretty strong for it's
>day.
>Made after Clementi died, hence the name.<G> Not of great significance,
>but
>a beauty nonetheless. The action is a single escapement, ...er sorta, but
>the spung "balancier" sort of acts like a standard balancier. The action
>looks to be pristine! I would simply reconditon what needs to be and just
>touch up the regulation.<G>
>Now, for the second part of this:
>Paul said:
>"What a great find, David! Wow! In incredible shape, too. I wouldn't
>refinish it at all. I would restring it, though. It would be a great
>historical item to hear what Ludwig might have found in the day. Maybe he
>even could have played that piano!! Perhaps any number of great composers
>of the day might have touched it! Again, I will say WoW! I doubt that you
>would want to get it to an A-440 state, but whatever was the tuning pitch
>in the day?.maybe A-415 or so. Very cool!"
>
>Paul,
>The Average pitch of the time in London, was approximately 425cps. I keep
>seeing references to pitch standards that appear to be plucked from the
>friggin' air! What's that all about people? Please, do the research before
>jumping into that pit, in the future. (Helmhotz) I think all would
>appreciate it.<G> As for famous composers playing on that instrument, it's
>possible, but unlikely imo.
>Joe
>
>Back to David:
>It appears that the House the piano sits in is in a process of
>refurbishment. If that is so, ya need to convince the owner to get the
>piano out of there! Send it to an intelligent rebuilder that will do as
>I've outlined. Musically, it can georgous.
>Best to David and Paul <G>
>
>
>Joe Garrett, R.P.T.
>Captain of the Tool Police
>Squares R I
>
>