Zugl.: Berlin, Techn. Univ., Diss., 2007

Thesis (D. Mus. Arts)--University of Washington, 1995. / Vita. Includes bibliographical references (leaves [165]-176).

Zugl.: Berlin, Techn. Univ., Diss., 2007.

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Originally presented as the author's thesis (doctoral--Technische Universität, Berlin). / Includes bibliographical references (p. 235-327).

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What are the timbral characteristics of musical sounds? From the second half of the nineteenth century, ideas about musical timbre were affected by contradictory and platitude statements that have lead researchers and musicians throughout history to adopt various models and perspectives. However, the influence of pitch and dynamics has largely been ignored within these models by definition. Another fact had further effects on the history of psychoacoustical research: While Hermann von Helmholtz’s Lehre von den Tonempfindungen was soon translated into English by Alexander J. Ellis, a translation of Carl Stumpf’s standard works Tonpsychologie (1883 and 1890) and Die Sprachlaute (1926) has yet to be published, as are translations of the important writings of other German-speaking successors to Helmholtz and Stumpf (such as Köhler, Schumann, Albersheim, Reinecke, Fricke etc.). Consequently, Anglo-American psychoacoustical research, which has been most influential in this field since World War II, is lacking this particular aspect of knowledge about musical timbre. The relevance of the German research tradition comes to light when we examine an instrument in its entire pitch and dynamic range (rather than only one or a few pitches as in most timbre studies): timbre perception of musical instruments is determined to a certain extent by steady pitch-independent formant areas, whose origin and characteristics at pitch and dynamic changes has generally been resolved today. These timbral effects appear to be in accordance with the principles of Auditory Scene Analysis (Albert S. Bregman) as well as with recommendations in orchestration treatises of the last centuries. Anglo-American models, such as John Grey’s Timbre Space and subsequent research, and German models of timbre perception both have advantages and short- coming. With the help of sound analysis and re-synthesis software and in combination with the concept of mel-frequency cepstral coefficients methods, it seems possible to merge these diverse approaches into a common timbre perception model.

This essay focusses on the relation between timbre and musical logic. I try to draw a connection between Schoenberg’s remarks on »Klangfarbenmelodie« in his Harmonielehre (1911) and the concept of »harmonie-timbre« represented by the spectral composers Gérard Grisey and Tristan Murail in the 1970s. At first glance, this relation between free atonality and spectral music seems far-fetched as Grisey and Murail rarely commented on Schoenberg’s theories. Nevertheless, a detailed investigation shows a parallelism of both analytical and aesthetic problems. Both the free atonal Schoenberg and the spectralists argued for developing sound sequences out of the innermost quality of timbre. Besides, the forming of free atonal and spectral sound sequences cannot resort to a structural preformation of material as in dodecaphonic or serial music. Therefore qualities of listening gain major importance. In order to realize free atonal or spectral sound sequences, it is necessary to apply a wide notion of perception: on the one hand, the composer enters the »inner« world of timbre by eaves- dropping on timbral nuances carefully. This perceptual attitude (»Lauschen«) brings to mind the transient presence and alterity of sound. On the other hand, this fascination with an »inner« quality of timbre should not lead to the assumption that free atonal or spectral sound sequences are unfolding in an »auto-generative« manner. Although composers can surrender themselves to a »passive« perception of sonic nuances, they are also compelled to make decisions about the direction of the music – decisions within the area of timbre, which seems to be resistant against decision-making. These decisions eventually constitute what might be perceived as musical logic. As a result, listeners of free atonal and spectral music are confronted with a fundamental tension between »inner« and »outer« compositional aspects: they perceive an illusory perfect and organic growth of sound (cf. Adorno: »Schein des Organischen«). The idea of a subject which articulates itself within a »pure« sound unleashes a tension between sense and its subversion, between active and passive listening. This tension seems to be one of the reasons why Schoenberg hesitated between sound and musical »sense«, and why he was fascinated by the »futuristic phantasy« to reconcile the apparent opposites of timbre and musical logic.

Der Beitrag basiert auf Erfahrungen im Höranalyse-Unterricht unter dem speziellen Aspekt ›Klangfarbe und Instrumentation‹ im Rahmen des Studiengangs Komposition für Film und Medien. Die Klangmischung, modern gesprochen der ›Sound‹ spielt in der Filmmusik eine große Rolle. Das musiktheoretische Interesse ist daher unverändert groß, die Wurzeln dieses Phänomens aufzuspüren und zu erforschen. Wann, wo und wie vollzieht sich der Prozess der ›Emanzipation der Klangfarbe‹, also die Loslösung des Klangs von der kompositorischen Substanz, beginnt die Umkehrung von ›Erscheinung‹ und ›Wesen‹ eines Kunstwerks? Ausgehend von einem Abschnitt über Lohengrin aus Adornos Versuch über Wagner wird zunächst der Versuch einer theoretischen Begründung unternommen, so dann die methodische Umsetzung in der Unterrichtspraxis mit anderen Beispielen aus Wagners späten Opern demonstriert. Im (kürzeren) zweiten Teil meiner Ausführungen soll gezeigt werden, dass Debussy (besonders in seiner einzigen Oper) noch einen Schritt weiter gegangen ist: Klangfarbe wird zum Symbol, zum (bildhaften) Topos. Hier nimmt die Filmmusik ihren Ausgangspunkt, und diese Tendenz hält bis heute an. Beispiele aus aktuellen Filmmusiken sollen dazu die (nicht nur) stimmungsvolle Untermalung liefern. / This article describes experiences in a course on aural-analysis of timbre and instrumentation in the context of the major Composition for Film and Media. After all, the sound experience as a whole plays a central role in film music. Thus the music-theoretical interest in researching the roots of this phenomenon is potentially unlimited. When, where, and how is the process of “emancipation of timbre” implemented—that is, disengagement of sound from the compositional substance? And when, where, and how does an artwork transition from “emerging” to “being”? Based on a section on Lohengrin from Adorno’s Versuch über Wagner, an attempt is made to form a theoretical foundation, followed by a demonstration of the methodological implementation in pedagogical practice using other examples from Wagner’s later operas. The brief second part of this article illustrates that Debussy (particularly in his only opera) went a step further still: timbre becomes a symbol, a metaphorical topos. This is the starting point for film music—a tendency that continues until the present day. Examples from recent film music then provide (not only) the atmospheric accompaniment.