429 HZ – CONCERT PITCH A
Concert pitch was not always 440 Hz.
History of Pitch
Verdi composed at 432 Hz. He advocated for it in the Italian Parliament. The Vienna Philharmonic plays at 443 Hz. Baroque orchestras at 415 Hz. The Berlin Philharmonic at 444 Hz. Handel’s 18th-century tuning forks show 422.5 Hz.
There is no ‘correct’ concert pitch. There is only what suits the music.
The history of pitch is a history of compromises. In the 19th century, tuning steadily rose. Orchestras wanted to sound brighter. Competition between opera houses. Paris was at 435 Hz, London at 452 Hz.
In 1939, 440 Hz was internationally agreed upon. A compromise. Practical for the industry. Standard since the 50s.
But not a law.
Why 429 Hz?
Mother Earth Radio uses 429 Hz. Not because of chakras or healing frequencies. But because it fits sonically.
Nikolaus Harnoncourt recorded Mozart in historical tunings. Not out of nostalgia, but because the timbres change. Strings sound warmer, less tense. Woodwinds open up differently. The harmonic relationships shift minimally, but audibly.
Bach was composed at 415 Hz. If you listen to it at 440 Hz, it sounds different than in his time. Not better, not worse – just different.
429 Hz is between historical practice and modern tuning. Low enough for relaxation, high enough for presence.
How is this done?
Every track on Mother Earth Radio is retuned. Digitally, precisely, losslessly. Hi-Res FLAC up to 192 kHz. This takes time. Each file is processed individually.
Experience 429 Hz in Hi-Res FLAC
But I hear the difference. Perhaps you will too.
No dogma, a choice.
440 Hz is standard. 429 Hz is my choice. Listen to it. Or don’t. I’m not forcing anyone.
