Abstract
A musical performance renders an acoustic realization of a musical score or other representation of a composition. Different performances of the same composition may vary in terms of performance parameters such as timing or dynamics, and these variations may have a major impact on how a listener perceives the music. The analysis of music performance has traditionally been a peripheral topic for the MIR research community, where often a single audio recording is used as representative of a musical work. This paper surveys the field of Music Performance Analysis (MPA) from several perspectives including the measurement of performance parameters, the relation of those parameters to the actions and intentions of a performer or perceptual effects on a listener, and finally the assessment of musical performance. This paper also discusses MPA as it relates to MIR, pointing out opportunities for collaboration and future research in both areas.
Highlights
Music, as a performing art, requires a performer or group of performers to render a musical “blueprint” into an acoustic realization (Hill, 2002; Clarke, 2002b)
The performance plays a major role in how listeners perceive a piece of music: even if the blueprint is identical for different renditions, as is the case in Western classical music, listeners may prefer one performance over another and appreciate different ‘interpretations’ of the same piece of music
This paper aims at narrowing this gap by introducing and discussing Music Performance Analysis (MPA) and its challenges from an Music Information Retrieval (MIR) perspective
Summary
As a performing art, requires a performer or group of performers to render a musical “blueprint” into an acoustic realization (Hill, 2002; Clarke, 2002b). The performance plays a major role in how listeners perceive a piece of music: even if the blueprint is identical for different renditions, as is the case in Western classical music, listeners may prefer one performance over another and appreciate different ‘interpretations’ of the same piece of music These differences are the result of the performers’ intentionally or unintentionally interpreting, modifying, adding to, and dismissing information from the score or blueprint (for the sake of simplicity, the remainder of this text will use the terms score and blueprint synonymously). This constant re-interpretation of music is inherent to the art form and is a vital and expected component of music
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
