Posted by Moises M. Carrasco on July 11, 1999 at 19:38:50:
In Reply to: Re: Re: A = ? posted by Joe S. on July 11, 1999 at 09:56:35:
In a former life, I was a organ pipemaker and the real answer is that what is called International Pitch varies. In the US we use A=440 cps at 72 degrees F. In Europe, (where most cathedrals are unheated) the standard is at 65 degrees F. At the end of the last century, most US pianos and organs were pitched at 435.0
The great French organbuilder Aristide Cavaillé-Coll was appointed to undertake the task determining a standard pitch. Every area of Europe had their own standard of pitch. The variation was almost comical! Between "Church" pitch..... "Choir" pitch and so on.... He devised the A=440. He was also one of the first advocates of equal temperment, early in that century. Orchestras frequently tune a little sharp to give the strings more "bite". BTW, Cavaillé-Coll also determined the standard European gas pressure!
Cheers,
Moises