In Search of the “Phonograph Effect”: Sonic Gestures in Violin Performance and Their Modification by Early Recording and Playback Devices (1901–1933)

Frithjof Vollmer, Boris-Alexander Bolles
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Abstract

To what extent did early recording technology affect the creation and representation of musical performances? According to Mark Katz (from 1999 onwards), historical studio environments led to crucial shifts in 20th century violin performances due to the restrictions imposed by early recording and reproduction devices (“phonograph effects”). In particular, this may have affected sonic gestures that include expressive means such as vibrato, portamento, articulation, and timbre variation. In order to trace potential modifications, we reenacted a 1911 “Liebesleid” performance by one of the most influential violinists of the 20th century, Fritz Kreisler. We then digitally ascertained the full acoustic transfer paths (impulse responses, IRs) from the 1911 studio to 20 historical gramophone setups and applied them to the reenactment. In this way, for the first time, our study generated comparative IR findings across multiple gramophones, soundboxes, and horns built by different manufacturers between 1901 and 1933. Sonic gestures were found to induce significant level modifications of up to 20 dB due to the devices’ resonances, leading to dynamical variations that have never been part of the performance. Accordingly, Kreisler's famous “golden tone” is due, in part, to the recording technologies of his time. Therefore, early recordings should not be understood as “neutral witnesses” but rather as artifacts with substantial influence on the creation and reproduction of musical performance(s).
寻找 "留声机效应":小提琴演奏中的声波手势及其在早期录音和重放设备(1901-1933 年)中的变化
早期的录音技术在多大程度上影响了音乐表演的创作和表现?马克-卡茨(Mark Katz,1999 年起)认为,由于早期录音和复制设备("留声机效应")的限制,历史上的录音室环境导致了 20 世纪小提琴演奏的重要转变。特别是,这可能会影响到包括揉弦、滑音、发音和音色变化等表现手段在内的声音姿态。为了追踪潜在的变化,我们重现了 20 世纪最有影响力的小提琴家之一弗里茨-克莱斯勒 1911 年的 "Liebesleid "演奏。然后,我们以数字方式确定了从 1911 年录音室到 20 个历史留声机设置的完整声学传递路径(脉冲响应,IR),并将其应用于重现。通过这种方式,我们的研究首次得出了 1901 年至 1933 年间由不同制造商制造的多种留声机、音箱和喇叭的比较性 IR 结果。研究发现,由于设备的共振,声波手势会引起高达 20 分贝的显著电平变化,从而导致从未在演奏中出现过的动态变化。因此,克莱斯勒著名的 "金色音调 "部分归功于当时的录音技术。因此,早期录音不应被理解为 "中立的见证",而应被视为对音乐表演的创作和再现具有重大影响的人工制品。
本文章由计算机程序翻译,如有差异,请以英文原文为准。
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