This site introduces unknown Emanuel Bach (C. P. E. Bach). This English version was translated from Japanese one by ChatGPT.
Asked ChatGPT4o: “What kind of tuning did Mozart and Beethoven use?”
During the time of Mozart and Beethoven, the modern 12-tone equal temperament was not yet fully widespread, and they used a tuning method known as **unequal temperament (well-tempered)**. These tuning methods were designed to take advantage of the different tonal colors and characters of each key, differing from modern equal temperament. Mozart and Beethoven performed and composed using various tuning methods that were mainstream at the time.
In Mozartʼs era (1756–1791), “well-tempered” tuning methods such as Kirnberger tuning and Werckmeister tuning were widely used. These tuning methods increased the tension of sound when moving to distant keys and gave unique character to specific keys. It is highly likely that Mozart composed under such tuning methods, consciously writing music with awareness of the tonal differences of each key.
References: Daniel Adam Maltz,Mathematics | University of Waterloo.
By Beethovenʼs time (1770–1827), there were changes in tuning methods. Like Mozart, he also used Kirnberger tuning and Werckmeister tuning, but by the time Beethovenʼs later works were published, 12-tone equal temperament was gradually becoming more widespread. Beethoven composed works, especially those frequently using distant keys (e.g., symphonies and piano sonatas), where the influence of 12-tone equal temperament, which provides a more homogeneous sound, is thought to be evident.
In unequal temperament, each key has its own unique color and emotion, which greatly influenced the music. For example, C major has a bright and pure sound, while F# minor has an unstable and tense sound. Mozart and Beethoven utilized these characteristics of tuning to express different emotions and drama through the keys.
Mozart and Beethoven primarily used unequal temperaments such as Kirnberger tuning and Werckmeister tuning, but by Beethovenʼs later years, 12-tone equal temperament began to spread, gradually influencing their music. These tuning methods are believed to have brought rich expression to their music by taking advantage of the individuality of each key.
References: Daniel Adam Maltz,Mathematics | University of Waterloo,The Ethan Hein Blog.
Asked ChatGPT4o: "Are there any specifications for which tuning to use in Baroque or Classical music?"
In Baroque and Classical music, it was rare for composers themselves to specify a particular tuning method clearly, leaving the choice of tuning to the performers or instrument tuners. However, there were tuning methods widely used depending on the era and region.
Baroque composers often used **unequal temperament (well-tempered)**. The following are representative tuning methods:
Kirnberger tuning: This tuning method, popularized by Bachʼs pupil Johann Philipp Kirnberger, is often used in Bachʼs works. It is believed that Kirnberger tuning or Werckmeister tuning was likely intended for Bachʼs *“The Well-Tempered Clavier”*.
References: Daniel Adam Maltz,The Ethan Hein Blog.
Werckmeister tuning: Proposed by Andreas Werckmeister, this tuning method was favored by Bach and other Baroque composers. Bachʼs works are often performed using this tuning method to take advantage of the characteristics of each key.
In the Classical era (Mozart, Haydn, Beethoven, etc.), both unequal temperament and 12-tone equal temperament were used. During this period, 12-tone equal temperament gradually became more widespread, but the early works of Mozart and Haydn were still influenced by unequal temperament.
Mozart: Although he did not specify a tuning method clearly, Kirnberger tuning and Werckmeister tuning were used during his time.
Beethoven: In his later works, 12-tone equal temperament was becoming standard, especially in works with frequent modulations to distant keys, where 12-tone equal temperament was suitable.
When performing Baroque or Classical music, modern performers may choose tuning methods with historical awareness. For example, when performing Baroque music, Kirnberger or Werckmeister tuning may be used, while for Classical music, 12-tone equal temperament or transitional tuning methods may be adopted.
References:Mathematics | University of Waterloo.
Asked ChatGPT4o: “What tuning was used for organ intonation?”
The tuning of organs varied by era and region, but from the Baroque to the Classical period, several major tuning methods were used. Organs required fixed tuning for churches and halls, and like other instruments, the choice of tuning method greatly influenced the musical expression.
During this period, **meantone temperament** was very common. Especially for organs, this tuning was preferred. Meantone aimed to keep certain major thirds pure, creating a particularly beautiful sound in diatonic keys. However, it had limitations, as it easily produced dissonance in distant keys (e.g., F# or G#).
In the late Baroque period, **well-tempered tuning** became more widely used. This tuning method allowed the use of all keys, giving each key its own unique color. Johann Sebastian Bach composed for organs and clavier using this tuning method, and it is particularly assumed in “The Well-Tempered Clavier”.
References: Daniel Adam Maltz.
Werckmeister tuning, an unequal temperament proposed by Andreas Werckmeister, was widely used for organ tuning. Werckmeister tuning allows for playing in all keys while giving each key a different sound, making it very suitable for performing Bachʼs organ works. Kirnberger tuning was also used for organs, particularly popularized by Johann Philipp Kirnberger, a pupil of Bach.
References: Daniel Adam Maltz,The Ethan Hein Blog.
As the Classical period began, organ tuning methods gradually transitioned to 12-tone equal temperament. 12-tone equal temperament provides equal intervals in all keys, offering a sound not dependent on specific keys, and became more widely used during the time of Mozart and Beethoven. However, traditional tuning methods continued to be used in some regions and churches.
References:Mathematics | University of Waterloo.
Organ tuning methods were primarily meantone and well-tempered during the Baroque era, gradually transitioning to 12-tone equal temperament towards the Classical period. Bachʼs works for organ are believed to have been performed mainly with Werckmeister or Kirnberger tuning, but there was diversity in the tuning methods used depending on the region and instrument.