The use of digital technologies in quantitative analysis of piano performance

This doctoral dissertation research work by virtuoso concert pianist Mimoza Keka ”The use of digital technologies in quantitative analysis of piano performance” is available now in English language. The analyzes of the piano interpretation so far have mainly relied on qualitative methods and elaborated individual interpretations of the most prominent pianists. Therefore, the need to use the opportunities provided by new digital technologies arose, which would approach the analysis of interpretation in a different way. Accordingly, we have designed a research that would use digital MIDI, audio and video recordings to obtain quantitative data that would be further used for statistical processing and consequent acquisition of knowledge on various aspects of piano interpretation. The book shows how to design a pattern for quantitative analysis of the piano performance using the digital technologies, starting with review towards the analysis of piano performance and the use of digital technologies, historical review of the treatises on piano performance, defining the problems of the pianistic performance, review of the digital technologies applied in music, continuing with presentation of the research methodology (sample, instrument, procedure, database structure, processing of data obtained from MIDI, audio and video recordings) and presenting the results of the analysis of MIDI, audio and video recordings. The book offers useful information about the treatises for piano technique and music performance, the implementation of the digital technologies and their connection with the music performance analysis. It also deals with related piano playing techniques, the interval/melodic and metric/rhythmic plan, as well as the interpretive plans – dynamic, articulation and tempo/agogic of the performance of a musical work.