A 440 Hz Standard

[David Ilvedson]

The SF Ballet Orchestra and SF Opera Orchestra in San Francisco tune to A440.   The San Francisco Symphony tunes to A442.   I understand this was because of the Concert Master's insistance.   I understand a change from A440 to A442 would require and change in set-up for string instruments?   Is this true?   In that case an orchestra set up for A442 would really need a piano tuned to A442...I believe A442 is the standard in Europe?   A445 in Vienna?  How about Japan and other parts of the world?   Surely the world could just agree to something.   I have no problem with A442 if it is the standard!

David Ilvedson



----- Original message ---------------------------------------->
From: James Ellis <claviers@nxs.net>
To: <caut@ptg.org>
Received: Mon, 12 Apr 2004 10:07:44 -0400
Subject: A 440 Hz Standard

>The National Symphony Orchestra from Washington DC is giving a concert in
>Oak Ridge TN on April 23.  Their manager has informed the ORCMA manager in
>Oak Ridge that the piano must be tuned to A 442, and they even sent general
>instructions about how and when to do it.  I'm just wondering:  What
>orchestras are there out there that play at various different pitches other
>than A=440 Hz, and what are those pitches?  If 442 is better than 440, why
>then is 443 not better than 442, or 444, 445, 446, or even 447 not a lot
>better than any of the former?  Once upon a time, I'm told, a yard was
>equal to the distance between the king's nose and the tip of his
>outstretched finger.  I'm glad we got beyond that.  Whatever happened to
>the idea of standards, anyway?  It seems to me that some people just have
>to be different.

>Sincerely, Jim Ellis


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