Acoustics and the Performance of Music (eBook)

Honors:Helmholtz-Medal of the German Acoustical Society (DEGA) 2004Medal of Honor of Verband Deutscher Tonmeister (VDT) 2004Fellow of the ASA

Preface 6
Translator’s Preface 8
Contents 10
Introduction to Acoustics 15
1.1 Fundamental Physical Principles 15
1.2 Characteristics of the Auditory System 20
Structure of Musical Sound 37
2.1 Introducing the Model 37
2.2 Frequency- and Level: Structures 40
2.3 Time Structures 51
Tonal Characteristics of Musical Instruments 59
3.1 Brass Instruments 59
3.2 Woodwind Instruments 78
3.3 String Instruments 99
3.4 The Piano 117
3.5 The Harpsichord 125
3.6 The Harp 128
3.7 Percussion Instruments 130
3.8 The Singing Voice 137
Directional Characteristics 143
4.1 Foundations of Directional Sound Radiation 143
4.2. Brass Instruments 147
4.3 Woodwind Instruments 154
4.4 String Instruments 162
4.5 The Grand Piano 177
4.6 The Harp 183
4.7 Percussion Instruments 184
4.8 The Singing Voice 189
Foundations of Room Acoustics 192
5.1 Reflection and Refraction 192
5.2 Absorption 199
5.3 Reverberation 201
5.4 Direct Sound and Diffuse Field 203
5.5 Temporal Structure of the Sound Field 209
Acoustical Properties of Old and New Performance Spaces 215
6.1 Concert Halls 215
6.2 Opera Houses 246
6.3 Churches 257
6.4 Chamber Music Halls 262
6.5 Studios 266
6.6 Special Purpose Rooms 268
6.7 Open Air Stages 270
Seating Arrangement in the Concert Hall 274
7.1 Customary Positioning of Instrument Groups 274
7.2 The Tonal Effect in the Hall 284
Acoustic Considerations for Instrumentation and Playing Technique 358
8.1 Strength of Ensembles 358
8.2 Dynamics 370
8.3 Performance Technique 381
8.4 Tempo and Room Acoustics 395
Acoustical Problems in the Opera House 399
9.1 Strength of the Orchestra 399
9.2 Seating Arrangement in the Orchestra Pit 404
9.3 Balance between Singers and Orchestra 413
9.4 Arrangement of Choirs and Music on Stage 417
Table for Angular Dependence of the Statistical Directivity Factor 422
References 424
Subject Index 436
Author, Composer, and Composition Index 444