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

Mike and Jane Spalding mjbkspal@execpc.com
Tue, 24 Sep 2002 10:21:19 -0500


HI David,

You will find some interesting dialog about this book in the Pianotek archives.  The author's premise that "equal  temperament was finally accepted as the only natural tuning... without which  modulations are impossible and the masterpieces from the Baroque era could not have been written" is not accepted by many tuners, myself included.  The author completely ignores/omits the family of Well Temperaments.  While one may argue how widely, and for how long, Well Temperaments were used, one must admit to their existence.  I'm glad I read the book, but not because I believe in it's message.  In fact, reading the book, and the Pianotek discussion which followed, have helped me clarify my views on the value of non-equal temperaments.

Mike Spalding RPT

----- Original Message ----- 
From: Vanderhoofven <dkvander@joplin.com>
To: <pianotech@ptg.org>
Sent: Tuesday, September 24, 2002 9:51 AM
Subject: Review of Book "Temperament: The Idea That Solved Music's Greates Riddle


> 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
> 
> ****************************************
> begin forwarded message
> 
> 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
> 
> 
> end forwarded message
> ************************************************************
> 
> _______________________________________________
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> 



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