Aural analysis for performing musicians The relationship between accents and expression Richard...
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Transcript of Aural analysis for performing musicians The relationship between accents and expression Richard...
Aural analysis for performing musicians
The relationship between accents and expression
Richard ParncuttUniversität Graz
VI . Kongress der Gesellschaft für Musiktheorie, Weimar, 6.-8-10.06
Introduction
• Information transmitted in performance• Typical performance of a work• Salience and accentuation• Immanent vs performed accents
Parncutt: Aural analysis for performing musicians
Aims
analyse a musical work aurally explain its perception guide its interpretation
understand the “work itself” not a specific performance
Information transmitted in music performance
score (categorical)note names, note values…tempo and dynamic markings…
performance (continuous)tempo, timing, dynamics, articulation,
timbre…
“Typical” performance of a work
“typical” = average MIDI data (Repp, 1997) Schumann "Träumerei" (op. 15, No. 7) Chopin Etude in E major (op. 10, No. 3)
result: average is preferred! conclusion: “typical” performance exists
a suitable basis for aural analysis
Salience
Definitions of “event salience”:probability of noticingperceptual importance
“Aural analysis” should:highlight salient eventsexplain why they are salient
Accent
Broad definition: any salient event
Broad classification: immanent (werkimmanent)performed (interpretatorisch)
Immanent accents
metrical M grouping G melodic C harmonic H
Performed accents
agogic articulatory dynamic timbral
Examples
• Melodic, harmonic accents• Metrical, grouping accents• Functions of performed accents• Combinations of accent types
Parncutt: Aural analysis for performing musicians
Function of performed accents
Q: Which immanent accents are emphasized most in performance?
A: Those that are already salient
Conclusion: Performance accents clarify & exaggerate immanent accentsdisambiguate musical structure
A testable prediction
Expressiveness depends on local immanent accent density
Expressiveness: intensity of emotion deviation of tempo etc. from global mean
Local immanent accent density: typical analysis by music theorist “local” = sum of sliding window
Conclusions
• The art of musical interpretation• What the theory neglects • What makes a good theory?• Future research
Parncutt: Aural analysis for performing musicians
Thesis
Performed accents clarify or exaggerate
selected immanent accents perceived musical structure
Cf. Crelle (1823) “Ausdruck und Vortrag für Fortepiano-Spieler”
The art of musical interpretation Awareness of
structure (immanent accents; their salience) expressive possibilities (performed accents)
Immanent accents: Which to emphasize? (already salient?) How much?
Performed accents: Which to use? How much? In what way?
diversity of “good” interpretations ☺ non-falsifiable theory? ☻
What the theory neglects
Shape of gestures (implied) physical movement idiosyncratic gestures, clichés
Aspects of musical meaning Ecological origins Life experience
Pragmatic evaluation
How can a music theory be useful? relatively simple and general supports explanation and understanding invites new performance interpretations can link theory teaching to performance
Compare: Riemann Funktionslehre Schenker Stimmführung/Ursatz pitch-class set theory
Future research Qualitative:
aural analyses pedagogical tests
Quantitative: computer model (cf. Sundberg & Friberg) comparison of predictions with MIDI data
In both cases: openness for revision and extension first pianists, then others