Statistical Analysis of Written and Performed Music. A Study of Compositional Principles and Problems of Coordination and Expression in ?Punctual? Serial Music
Dirk Moelants · Journal of New Music Research · 2000
In this paper statistical techniques like correlation and analysis of variance are applied to the analysis of musical scores and performances. As an illustration of the possibilities of these techniques in music analysis, one of the first examples of rationally constructed punctual serial music, Karel Goeyvaerts’ “No. 1” was analyzed. This led to interesting new insights in the construction of the score. In addition, three expert performances of the piece were analyzed. In these some strategies of expressive timing not related to structural aspects were found as well as considerable problems of coordination between the performers. This gives rise to questions about music cognition, music critics and aesthetics.