Pianotech

  • 1.  The piano becomes a citar

    Posted 02-27-2025 18:33

    Dear Colleagues

    Occasionally tuning for concerts I'm finding that I've tuned a completely different instrument. 

    Perhaps Kershaw Trio jazz in unequal temperament at Hammerwood Park

    YouTube remove preview
    Kershaw Trio jazz in unequal temperament at Hammerwood Park
    Uploaded by latribe on 2025-02-12.
    View this on YouTube >

     might be of interest. And of course this is the same tuning I'd use for Bach, Beethoven or Rachmaninoff alike or Vivaldi and Schubert.

    Vivaldi Cum Dederit Schubert Allegretto D915 Beethoven Sonata Op 7 No 4 Schubert Sonata D960

    YouTube remove preview
    Vivaldi Cum Dederit Schubert Allegretto D915 Beethoven Sonata Op 7 No 4 Schubert Sonata D960
    0:00:00 Concert in Kirnberger III unequal temperament - Introduction 0:00:30 Vivaldi - Cum Demerit from Nisi Dominus - arranged by Neil Crossland 0:06:22 Schubert - Allegretto in C minor D. 915 0:11:46 Beethoven Piano Sonata No 4 in E flat major Op 7 - Allegro molto e con brio - Largo, con gran espressione - Allegro - Rondo - Allegretto e grazioso 0:42:27 Schubert - Sonata in Bb major D.
    View this on YouTube >

    Microphones were AKG D202 and D224 recorded onto magnetic tape at 15ips on Revox/Itam 3.77 recorder. Hiss in the background isn't tape hiss but a fan-heater - it's not warm in the UK. Instrument is 1885 Bechstein Model III. 

    Returning to the citar, is BACH Preludes 1, 2, 13, 22 of 48 preludes and fugues in unequal temperament

    YouTube remove preview
    BACH Preludes 1, 2, 13, 22 of 48 preludes and fugues in unequal temperament
    Bach 48 Well Tempered Clavier preludes recorded onto the wrong magnetic tape 00:00 Prelude No.1 02:26 Prelude No.2 04:25 Prelude No.13 06:22 Prelude No.22
    View this on YouTube >

    reminiscent of the cimbalom? 

     

    In the playing of Bach should the piano always sound as a moc-harpsichord? Or was Bach the choral composer singing and playing the organ in a large acoustic?

    Bach prelude examples unequal temperament

    YouTube remove preview
    Bach prelude examples unequal temperament
    Examples of Bach preludes in unequal temperament
    View this on YouTube >

    Does the modern fashion of tuning offer the greatest versatility to the instrument or allow it to be played maximising permutations of style?

    Best wishes

    David P



    ------------------------------
    David Pinnegar BSc ARCS
    Hammerwood Park, East Grinstead, Sussex, UK
    +44 1342 850594
    "High Definition" Tuning
    ------------------------------