U-turn April

April 2, 2006

Historic tuning hazards

I am in the process of composing the carillon piece I am commissioned for by Frans Haagen (with support of the FST). It brings me smack in the middle of history of tuning.

As with organs, carillons can be as diverse as can be. While the work I am composing right now is intended for the St Catherine's Church carillon in Gdansk, Frans Haagen usually plays on the instrument in the 17th century Nieuwe Toren (New Tower) in Kampen.

Where the Gdansk instrument has an equally tempered tuning with the A being 440kHz, his own instrument has a meantone temperament with the A tuned at 415kHz.

As a Western socialized world citizen, I have strong preference for an equally tempered tuning as far as it concerns my own music. But writing a tonal piece with a soundtrack for an instrument with the historic proportions as the carillon, I am forced to find solutions to make sure my new composition works on different instruments.

Posted by Renske at April 2, 2006 8:39 PM | permanent link

Tags: Frans Haagen, Gdansk, Kampen, Nieuwe Toren, St. Catherine's Church, carillon, tuning

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As a new music professional, either as a composer or as a new music web editor, I regularly sharp my mind with the information I encounter.

My weblog U-turn contains my thoughts or quirky reactions.

Once in a while I get overwhelmed with my passion for aviation, so occasionally I will post about this as well.

You are welcome to send a reaction through my feedback form.

U-turn April

Historic tuning hazards

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