[rodgersorgan] Re: Transposer

Carlo,

I used to agree with you about never transposing choral music, but recent 
studies have proved that much choral music was written in keys to match the 
tuning orientation of the organ in the church at the time...some organs were 
low, and some very high.

I find much of the harpsichord repertoire has a totally different color when 
played at a=415...as does a lot of the organ literature. Schlick (1511 ) 
mentions organs at a=374 and others at a=510.  Praetorius mentions Cammer and 
Chor-Thon pitch of a=425, Handel's own tuning fork was a=422.5.

The 1611 organ  of  Dallam at Worcester Cathedral was a=360....and organist 
there would use the 5' or 10' stop to provide pitch for the choir since the 
organ was a fourth lower than current choir pitch.  At that time organs were 
built in 'organ pitch' or 'choir pitch'.

A lot of choral music can be transposed to a range the much better fits the 
human voice...and then we find out that that was where it was intended to be 
pitched in the first place!

I find the Hallelujah Chorus much grander played in D flat....for those that 
want to play lower and fear they will forget to reset the transposer knob each 
time they hit Cancel...go into the window on the organ and lower the master 
tuning pitch as low as you can.  I think I will go to a level closer Handel's 
pitch.

Carlo, I have a blind friend who shares with you the inability to deal with 
organs that play different keys than what is normal.
--
noel jones, aago
athens, tennessee, usa
-------------------------------
frog music press
rodgers organ users group
www.frogmusic.com



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