Re : [tuning] Reply to Wim Hoogewerf

I wrote:

>>As all Well-temperaments, Werckmeister III offers a solution to play
>>reasonably in tune in all of the twelve keys, both minor and major. It
>>becomes specially interesting when you listen to a set of pieces in
>>many different keys, like Bach's two-part Inventions, the three-part
>>Sinfonias or the Well-tempered clavier. Each key has it's own tuning
>>characteristics. You can hear for example, without being absolute, if a
>>piece is in D major or in Eb major.
>
>>Intuitively I think you will find about as much 'pain' as in
>>meantone-tuning.

John deLaubenfels:

> I hear what you're saying, and it would be interesting to experience
> some of the works you cite in Werckmeister III tuning. My guess
> (without yet having heard it) is that I'd long for "better" tuning in
> the keys for which this fixed tuning is not so well suited, but in this
> respect my ears may be different from others'.

John, please go ahead. The question remains to which extent a composer
integrates the advantages or disadvantages of a specific tuning for a
specific key in his works. He or she might obtain a very good result in a
key "for which this fixed tuning is not so well suited", just by avoiding
certain intervals.

I mentioned Bach's Inventions and Sinfonias, because of a LP recording by
Gustav leonhardt. I recognize clearly the difference in tuning quality from
one key to another and I'm almost sure it's Werckmeister III, but I don't
know enough about other temperaments, which may be quite simular, to make a
definte statement about it.
>
> Do you happen to know of any MIDI sequences tuned in this fashion? I'm
> sure listening to them would improve my education!

I'm afraid I don't. The conservatory I'm teaching at, uses a Yamaha midi
'pianola' system. This system allows to reproduce mechanically ( by key
pressure!) very complicated piano scores ( Debussy, Chopin...), on the same
piano (Steinway), and immediately after they've been played by whatsoever
pianist. Almost impossible to tell the difference between the machine and
the real pianist. All parameters (duration, dynamique, pitch..) are
integrated and reproduced by means of a digital procedure. Could this system
produce the perfect midi-file for your purpose? I'll check it out.

--Wim Hoogewerf