Timmers, R. (2002). Freedom and Constraints in Timing and Ornamentation: Investigations of music performance. Maastricht: Shaker Publishing.
Abstract
Psychological studies of music performance have investigated the cognitive rules that underly the expressive performance of music. However musicians will always partly observe and partly deviate from such rules and develop an individual style and an indivual interpretation of pieces.
This volume (including a CD with sound examples) presents five studies that seek to define the balance between freedom and constraints in the performance of classical music. It first formulates a theoretical approach towards diversity in music performance. It then investigates the diversity in performing melodies with varying accompaniments. It thirdly addresses the diversity and rules in the timing of simple ornaments. The fourth chapter on "the contextual appropriateness of performance rules" was rewarded with the Hickmann best paper award and demonstrates how performers may define their own performance rules and set the tone at the start for what follows.
In sum, a state of the art book on research into the performance of music!
More on Interpretation
More on Timing, Tempo
More on Grace notes
More on Measurement of expression