Fred Sturm
University of New Mexico, Music, Alumnus
Detail's of Villa-Lobos' year-long concert tour through over 100 cities in the state of São Paulo, Brazil. The piano technician who accompanied him on that tour, along with three other musicians, gave a first hand account, including many... more
Detail's of Villa-Lobos' year-long concert tour through over 100 cities in the state of São Paulo, Brazil. The piano technician who accompanied him on that tour, along with three other musicians, gave a first hand account, including many intimate details of life on the road with the famous Brazilian composer.
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The sostenuto pedal was originally invented by Boisselot of Marseille in 1844. That invention was adapted and adopted by Claude Montal, and used in his pianos through 1865. The principle was reinvented in the United States by Hanchett.... more
The sostenuto pedal was originally invented by Boisselot of Marseille in 1844. That invention was adapted and adopted by Claude Montal, and used in his pianos through 1865. The principle was reinvented in the United States by Hanchett. His invention seems to have been stolen by Steinway. Subsequent patent disputes were rendered moot by the discovery of Montal's previous (supposed) invention.
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A basic introduction to the problems of temperament, and some historical background
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Historical background of 1/4 comma mean tone, instructions for tuning based on Aron, Sabbatini and Denis, a look at the results of this tuning.
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A look at the use of meantone with fifths smaller than 1/4 comma, the history behind this, how to tune 1/5 to 1/6 comma meantone, an analysis of the results.
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The beginnings of circular temperaments, from the French Ordinaire of Rameau, Rousseau and d'Alembert to Italian modifications. Historical use of such tunings.
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A survey of the development of circulating temperaments in Germany, from Schlick through Werckmeister and Marpurg.
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Tracing the history of equal temperament, from 16th century Rome through Rameau, and its eventual adoption, at different times, in various areas of Europe.
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A separate treatment of the history of temperament in England, outside the mainstream of the rest of Europe.
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A critique of the work of Owen Jorgensen, in the light of the material covered in the previous seven articles.
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An overview of how to apply the information in the series of articles: how to select an appropriate tuning based on the time and place of composition of repertoire to be performed.
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A broad critique of Owen Jorgensen's 1991 book, delivered at a Colloquium on Tuning Practices Since 1750, Wright State University, March 13-14, 2010
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Translation of Pierre Érard's brochure, prepared for the Paris Exposition of 1844. Like his brochure for the 1834 Exposition, this text was written for advertising purposes, but includes considerable historical material about the Érard... more
Translation of Pierre Érard's brochure, prepared for the Paris Exposition of 1844. Like his brochure for the 1834 Exposition, this text was written for advertising purposes, but includes considerable historical material about the Érard firm.
Research Interests:
Translation of a text prepared by Pierre Érard for the 1834 Paris Exposition. While this was written for purposes of publicity, it contains a great deal of primary historical material, in the form of Pierre writing about things he had... more
Translation of a text prepared by Pierre Érard for the 1834 Paris Exposition. While this was written for purposes of publicity, it contains a great deal of primary historical material, in the form of Pierre writing about things he had heard from his uncle Sébastien. It also includes some excellent action drawings.