Tuning as Part of the Music

Tuning as Part of the Music

What if the way a piano is tuned could transform the music we hear?

Join Steinway Artist Adolfo Barabino and tuning researcher David Pinnegar for a fascinating exploration of how historical tuning systems can reveal new dimensions in piano music. 

This event has been made possible through the expertise and dedication of the University of Surrey piano technician Tim Hendy, whose meticulous preparation of Departemnt of Music's instruments helped ensure the success of the performances and demonstrations. This event has been made possible with the support of the University of Surrey piano technician, Tim Hendy, whose meticulous preparation of the Department of Music's instruments helped ensure the success of the performances and demonstrations. The presentation and demonstration will explore repertoire from the eighteenth to the twentieth century on pianos tuned in different temperaments, including modern equal temperament, a universal well temperament, and the historic ¼-comma meantone.

David Pinnegar will explain how unequal tuning systems can enhance the piano's acoustic spectrum, offering fresh insights into the instrument's resonance and the expressive character of different keys. Although equal temperament became widespread during the nineteenth century, many composers continued to associate individual keys with distinct emotional qualitiesm a tradition that extended well into the twentieth century.

Through live musical demonstrations by Adolfo Barabino, audiences will experience how these historical tuning systems bring those unique key characteristics to life, revealing colours, contrasts, and emotional nuances that are often lost in modern tuning. Whether you are a pianist, musician, or simply curious about how tuning shapes our musical experience, this event offers a rare opportunity to hear familiar repertoire from an entirely new perspective.