This site introduces unknown Emanuel Bach (C. P. E. Bach).
Asked ChatGPT4o: “When did 12-tone equal temperament become widespread?”
The 12-tone equal temperament became widespread and was widely used as the standard tuning method in the latter half of the 19th century. Its establishment as the mainstream tuning system in keyboard instruments and classical music is due to several important historical factors.
From the 17th to the 18th century, "well-tempered" tuning systems, used by composers like Bach, were dominant. These systems produced distinct tonal characters in each key, giving each tonality a unique personality. Bachʼs *"The Well-Tempered Clavier"* was composed with these "well-tuned" systems in mind, differing from modern 12-tone equal temperament.
Reference: Daniel Adam Maltz.
The spread of 12-tone equal temperament was driven by advances in piano manufacturing and the development of Romantic music in the 19th century. During this period, music demanded smooth transitions between keys and freedom in using multiple tonalities, which 12-tone equal temperament facilitated. Pianists and composers like Frédéric Chopin and Franz Liszt composed and performed on pianos tuned in equal temperament.
By the late 19th century, piano manufacturing had evolved, and equal temperament became standard in concert pianos. This was due to the need for handling complex modulations and modern harmonies. Equal temperament minimized dissonance between keys, allowing consistent sound quality across all tonalities.
Reference: Mathematics | University of Waterloo.
By the late 19th and early 20th centuries, the theoretical foundation for 12-tone equal temperament was solidified. It became standard in music education, supported by research from acousticians like Hermann von Helmholtz, who studied tuning and harmony, providing theoretical backing for equal temperament.
12-tone equal temperament became widespread mainly in the latter half of the 19th century, driven by the development of Romantic music and advances in piano technology. In the Baroque era, well-tempered systems were more common, emphasizing differences in tonal character. However, equal temperament, offering uniform sound across keys, became ideal for the evolving musical landscape of the 19th century.
Asked ChatGPT4o: “Although 12-tone equal temperament was known during the Baroque era, it wasn’t supported. Why did it become widespread in the Romantic era?”
While 12-tone equal temperament was technically known during the Baroque era, it was not widely supported. However, in the Romantic era, it became the standard tuning system due to various musical, technical, and aesthetic reasons.
In the Baroque era, music was mainly composed for churches and courts, often based on specific keys. Well-tempered and meantone tunings allowed each key to have a unique color and character, which was valued in musical expression. Thus, 12-tone equal temperament was not necessary.
In contrast, the Romantic era saw an increase in complex modulations across keys, making the uniform sound of 12-tone equal temperament desirable. Romantic composers like Chopin, Liszt, and Wagner sought dynamic and dramatic music, frequently employing modulations that required stable tuning across all keys.
Baroque instruments had narrower ranges and tonalities were more dependent on specific keys. In the Romantic era, instruments—especially pianos and orchestral instruments—evolved, expanding their range and volume. Equal temperament met the need for consistent tuning across all keys, becoming the ideal tuning system for pianos and wind instruments.
Romantic aesthetics emphasized strong emotional expression and dramatic structure. Equal temperament, which maintained consistent sound across keys, was preferred for smooth transitions between keys. While Baroque music valued distinct key characteristics, Romantic music prioritized fluid key changes.
In the 19th century, advancements in music theory and science led to the formalization of tuning systems. Acousticians like Hermann von Helmholtz provided theoretical support for 12-tone equal temperament. Music education institutions began teaching it as the standard tuning method.
Reference: Mathematics | University of Waterloo.
The shift from the Baroque to the Romantic era in supporting 12-tone equal temperament was due to changing musical demands, instrumental evolution, aesthetic shifts, and scientific and educational advancements. Romantic composers needed smooth modulations and broader expression, making equal temperament the ideal choice.
Asked ChatGPT4o: “Wouldn’t the unique character of each key better suit Romantic expression? If all keys sound the same in equal temperament, why was it supported?”
Indeed, the unique character of each key aligns well with Romantic expression—a concept inherited from the Baroque era. Composers used well-tempered and meantone tunings to highlight emotional nuances specific to each key.
Romantic composers pursued bold and dramatic expression, frequently modulating between distant keys. Equal temperament was valued because it provided consistent sound across all keys. Well-tempered systems emphasized specific keys but introduced dissonance when modulating to remote keys.
In the Romantic era, orchestras expanded, and compositions incorporated multiple tonalities. Equal temperament ensured stable tuning across all instruments, maintaining balance and enabling diverse expression.
Romantic music prioritized seamless transitions and emotional continuity. Equal temperament prevented drastic tonal shifts, supporting uninterrupted emotional progression, tension, and climax.
By the 19th century, music theory and education standardized equal temperament. Research in acoustics, particularly by Helmholtz, theoretically validated equal temperament, furthering its adoption.
Reference: Mathematics | University of Waterloo.
Romantic composers supported 12-tone equal temperament for its freedom of modulation and musical coherence. It enabled smooth key changes and preserved emotional flow, aligning with Romantic expressive goals. However, the distinct character of each key remains an essential expressive tool in modern music.