[CAUT] A-440 again

[Chris Solliday]

Avery, All orchestras I see tune to A-440 except some European ones at 442
or even 444, and Orpheus Chameber Orchestra, conductorless but not without
leadership, likes 441 which I actually don't mind too much. The European
conductors and string players tell me it makes them sound more brilliant and
since some have started doing it they all have to do it in order to keep up.
Frankly I think they should tune to 435 and relax, and listen to the music
more, and maybe making more music is better than brilliant. It's like over
lacquering hammers, there goes the richness and the carry. I recommend
reminding them that there is an international treaty on this. Chris Solliday
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Avery Todd" <atodd@uh.edu>
To: "College and University Technicians" <caut@ptg.org>
Sent: Wednesday, April 20, 2005 10:28 AM
Subject: [CAUT] A-440 again


> List,
>
> This has come up again because of one particular string (viola) teacher
> here. There was evidently a blow-up of some kind at a Chamber Orchestra
> rehearsal last week because of
> his insistence, as conductor, that they tune to A-442. His primary
argument
> for doing
> so is that "all the major orchestras tune at least to A-442".
>
> I understand the Cleveland orchestra doesn't. Is that still true and does
> anyone know of
> any other major orchestras who use A-440.
>
> My biggest problem with it here is that as far as I know, everyone (except
> him and maybe
> 1-2 other string players) like it at 440 and I personally just don't want
> to be tuning
> instruments back and forth to accommodate this A**. And yes, he really is!
>
> I thought I'd gotten this problem settled years ago but evidently not. :-(
> Anyone have
> any quick ammunition I can give to the Director? He's caught in the middle
> of it.
> Thankfully, though, this time it doesn't involve a piano.
>
> Thanks.
>
> Avery Todd
> University of Houston
>
>
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