********thread drift************

Many composers felt quite strongly about key signatures. I think Karl Haas had a program about the emotional connotations of various keys. The main one I remember is the key of F is considered the Pastorale Key. (Beethoven's Pastorale Symphony, Handel's piece just before "He Shall Feed His Flock" etc.)

Several "Spring" songs have lots of sharps, I'm thinking Grieg here. I'll have to look these up, I've forgotten most of them.

Leonard Bernstein used to tune the NY Philharmonic slightly sharp for a "bright" sound. ;-)