Applying Inner Metric Analysis to 20th Century Compositions

Abstract

This paper compares metric analyses of three pieces by Skrjabin, Webern and Xenakis using Inner Metric Analysis. Inner Metric Analysis assigns to each note of a piece a metric weight. The analysis is based on the detection of regular pulses created by the onsets of notes. Metrically strict pieces, such as Renaissance madrigals or ragtime pieces, often result in metric weight profiles that correspond to the accent schema of the notated bar lines. Hence these pieces are characterised as being metrically coherent since the notes generate a metrical structure that is synchronous with the abstract grid of the bar lines. Compositions of the 20th century very often do not follow such a strict metricity. The metric profiles therefore give interesting insights into the time organisation of these pieces far beyond the notated bar lines. Furthermore, we apply a processive approach to meter in order to study how the metric structure evolves over time while listening to the music.