Topic by Lifeisgood72

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  • Lifeisgood72
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  • Registered: 05-09-2024
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Topic: Which tunings do you use for Bach?

Hey, so I know Pianoteq has well temperament presets but which one sounds best for Bach? After all, it is the *well* tempered clavier. But also, wouldn’t Bach use different temperaments from piece to piece? And if so, has anyone experimented with doing unique well temperaments for the harpsichord with pianoteq?

Btw, I think the Pianoteq harpsichord is one of the best sounding VSTs ever. But I think the quality gets worse with tunings away from default though. Anything I can do about that?

Reply by DEZ

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  • DEZ
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  • Registered: 18-06-2022
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Re: Which tunings do you use for Bach?

Lifeisgood72 wrote:

Hey, so I know Pianoteq has well temperament presets but which one sounds best for Bach?

This is such a hotly debated topic with some putting forward theories on Bach's squiggle ... the simple answer is 'We Simply Don't Know!'

It will have to come down to personal preference - do you like strong thirds that hum beautifully or fifths. Do you want a more discordant 'Wolf' (the tri-tone? C-F#).

You can find lots and lots of different scala presets here: https://www.huygens-fokker.org/microton...cales.html

Happy searching and experimenting

Feel free to post what you find out for other seeking the same ...

Reply by sandalholme

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  • sandalholme
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  • Registered: 17-06-2014
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Re: Which tunings do you use for Bach?

FWIW, I use A-415 and Neidhardt III 1724 for the Ruckers, therefore Bach, Couperin, Rameau etc; A-415 Vallotti & Young for the Giusti for Scarlatti and Croft, but haven't played it for some time and probably not a good one for either, but it's a got a surpisingly dark tone.  A lovely instrument but limited stops;  A-392 Meantone (1/4 comma) for the J Salodiensis Virginal, which I have rarely used as I don't often play the appropriate music these days.