| |
| Id |
25735 |
| Category |
antiquarian book |
| Author / Composer |
SMITH, Robert (1689-1768) |
| Title |
Harmonics, or the Philosophy of Musical Sounds. The Second Edition, Much improved and augmented; [with] A Postscript to Dr. Smith's Harmonics, upon The changeable harpsichord. London: Printed for T. and J. Merill, 1762. |
| Place |
London |
| Publisher |
Printed for T. and J. Merrill, sold by B. Dod, J. Whiston and B. White, J. Nourse, M. Cooper, J. Fletcher and D. Prince |
| Publication Date |
1759 |
| ISBN / Plate No. |
|
| Series |
|
| Size |
8vo. xx, 280, [xxv (index)] pp. + xxix folding plates. (lacking nos 1, 8, 9, 11, 18, 20-23 [supplied here in photocopy]). 12pp. |
| Description |
Calf (worn and scratched, front cover detached). Tables. From the collection of Christopher Hogwood (1941-2014). Including a table showing the rates of beating of tempered 5ths on the various notes of the scale calculated for a series of pitches or performance the temperaments used are mean-tone and Smith's own system of equal harmony. It is significant that his approach to the problem of tuning a keyboard instrument was through the judgment of the musician's ear: he tried out his equal harmony on the harpsichord, and the first organ of the Foundling Hospital, with its system of alternative notes actuated by selective stops, is said to have been built under his directions. In several striking respects he anticipated Helmholtz, who, however, did not know his work. |
| Reference |
Second edition. RISM B/VI/2 p.788. Gregory p.255. ESTC T36020 and T44100. |
| Price |
£240.00 |
|
