Review of Book "Temperament: The Idea That Solved Music's Greates Riddle

[Vanderhoofven]

Dear Friends,

Here is a book review that was on page 42-43 of the July/August issue of 
Clavier Magazine.

For those of you who are interested, a subscription to Clavier Magazine  is 
$19.00 per year.
Clavier
200 Northfield Road
Northfield, Illinois  60093-9957
1-888-446-6888

I have not personally read the book, but it sounds like a book I would like 
to own.

Sincerely,

David A. Vanderhoofven
Joplin, MO

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Temperament may seem to be a narrow technical subject, but the book 
"Temperament: The Idea That Solved Music's Greatest Riddle", by Stuart 
Isacoff shows that the subject penetrates other facets of society - social 
history, religion, philosophy, art, science, and economics.  Although 
someone with no special interest in music will find the book absorbing, 
Isacoff does not presuppose that readers have technical knowledge and uses 
diagrams to clarify the explanations of various tunings.

The great riddle that temperament solved was the problematic division of 
the octave.  An octave represents a simple ratio:  the higher note vibrates 
exactly twice as fast as the lower; similarly, fifths and fourths have 
simple and exact ratios.  The problem is that if the fifths are calculated 
based on this ratio, a complete circle of fifths ends up sounding a little 
higher than an octave.  If the intervals within an octave are adjusted in 
some way or other, this solves the riddle.  The solution that prevailed for 
keyboard instruments was equal temperament: the division of the octave into 
12 equal parts.

Although octave tuning is based on the ideal ratios of Pythagoras, all 
other intervals are out of tune by small degrees.  As it turned out, this 
system was pivotal for the future language of music, without which 
modulations are impossible and the masterpieces from the Baroque era could 
not have been written.  Pianists were spared the difficulties of 
negotiating keyboards with split keys that offered alternative tunings for 
certain notes, which were used on organs as late as the Baroque era.

Today equal temperament is so logical and practical that musicians take it 
for granted.  Isacoff shows that this acceptance was plagued by 
controversy, including the many theorists who believed the proportions of 
Pythagorian relationships proved these tunings were natural and the will of 
God.  Later theorists offered evidence that proved the contrary, and equal 
temperament was finally accepted as the only natural tuning.

Isacoff's informal, conversational tone makes the book absorbing to 
read.  Although the prose is clear and easy to understand, the sheer amount 
of information will take some effort to assimilate.  On other important 
topics the book is so engaging and entertaining that any effort is worth 
it.  (Alfred A. Knopf, hardbound, 259 pages, $23)   - Joseph Smith

			
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