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Harpsichords and Related Topics

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Harpsichords and Related Topics <[log in to unmask]>
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Thu, 31 Mar 2016 15:26:31 +0200
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Some years back I analysed the Lorenz Hauslaib 1590 Claviorgan's organ 
stop with regard to pitch and tuning using a 'sample set' captured, I 
believe, by Barcelona university. Turns out the instrument is at 
cammerton pitch (c' = 246.7 Hz, a' = 411.8 Hz) and, when obviously 
mistuned pipes are ignored, the 12 arithmetic means of the pitches 
across its four octaves are well within one cent of theoretical 
2/7-comma meantone.

The museum’s blurb states:

'Made at the organ workshop of Lorenz Hauslaib in Nuremberg, this 
claviorgan is a magnificent example of a Renaissance musical instrument 
which has reached our days without alterations of its original timbre, 
arrangement and tuning.'

If the claim regarding tuning is accepted at face value, then the 
instrument presumably fell into disuse and remained untouched until its 
restoration in 2013. In such a case, the preserved temperament is of 
interest in that the major thirds are slightly narrow, presumably to 
improve minor tonalities relative to 1/4-comma meantone. Would that have 
reflected common tuning practice in Nuremberg or perhaps a request of 
Hauslaib's southern customer? Same question in relation to the preserved 
cammerton pitch.

As I vaguely recall, Hauslaib wasn't primarily an instrument maker by 
profession, so he might have had help with the musical mechanics

Regards
Charles

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