Analysing musical recordings : an empirical approach

Martin, Sarah (1996) Analysing musical recordings : an empirical approach. University of Southampton, Doctoral Thesis.

Abstract

The study of recordings using scientific performance data is a relatively new field of musicological research; most empirical studies of performance have so far been conducted in the field of music psychology. In this thesis, I address some of the musical issues involved in the study of the scientific measurements of performance, especially measurements of performance timing. Of primary concern is the development of methods for analysing empirical data without marginalising performer's descriptions of performance, the development of an interpretative approach which occupies a middle ground between psychological and musicological analyses of performance, and the development of 'bottom-up' or inductive styles of performance analysis.

After a literature review contextualising these ideas, I present a number of analytical case-studies based on samples of data from a computer timing program, in particular data from recordings of Beethoven's Third Symphony and Debussy's Children's Corner. Using specific examples, these studies examine the general theoretical issues raised in the Introduction. Finally, I suggest some directions for future musicological research using empirical data.

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