Temperament

[oakcroft13]

I have just read a newly published book called Temperament, by Stuart 
Isacoff (Faber 2002) which attempts to do for the history of tuning 
what Longitude did for time-measurement. It is a merry romp through 
the history of tuning, science, western philosphy etc. and seems a 
good holiday read for those interested in the subject.

It has a chapter 'So Many Bells' which starts 'Winchester Cathedral 
shuddered and roared as seventy men, dripping with sweat and urging 
each other on . . .'. Anticipating a description of the first peal on 
the Grimethorpe 12, I read on to discover the chapter was actually 
mostly about church organs.

Still, the book is a good if rambling introduction to tuning history.

Bill H