From performer to listener : an analysis of timbre variations

Comparisons of timbre variations among various clarinet pe rformances of excerpts from the Baroque and Classical repertoire are performed. The timbre variations display a high withinindividual consistency when the interpretation is the same . However, significant di fferences of Spectral Centroid, Odd /Even Ratio and Attack Time occur between “scholar” and expre ssive interpretations. The perceptual importance of tones’ brightness variations is further compared to that of rhythmic deviations and dynamics. An analys is-synthesis approach is used to modify recorded performances by reducing the expressive de iations of brightness, rhythm and acoustical energy. 20 skilled musicians selected in a pa ir-wise comparison task which synthesized performances they preferred. The performance s’ s ores show that the removal of tones’ Spectral Centroid variations induces the strongest los of musical expressiveness. These results show that the timbre variations are linked to the pro cess of interpretation, and that the corresponding changes of sound quality over time highly par ticipate to musical aesthetics.

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