Computational Musicology 04 & 05

Score ↔ Performance ↔ Recording

A “song” is actually several distinct objects: Composition → represented by Score → realized as Performance → captured as Recording. Compare identical compositions performed across historical eras, tracking rubato, tempo elasticity, and expressive ornamentation.

Computational MusicologyLibrary of Congress Notated Music Collections

Score ↔ Performance ↔ Recording

Epistemic Boundary“The score is not the performance.”

Early Romantic // 12/8 (Compound Quadruple) // Andante (dotted quarter = 66)

Nocturne in E-flat Major, Op. 9, No. 2

Composed by Frédéric Chopin (1830–1832) · Key: E-flat major (3 flats)

Digitized Score at LOC

In The Score (Symbolic Inscription)

Preserves the harmonic skeleton, periodic bass ostinato, melodic contour, and exact pitch choices of the right-hand fiorituras.

Chord Vocabulary: 28 chords · Compass: Bb2 to C7 (over 4 octaves)

Only in Performance (Acoustic Realization)

The quintessential Chopin rubato: the metronomic fidelity of the left hand paired against the floating, agogic temporal elasticity and delicate pedal damping of the right hand.

Chromatic Expansion: 7.4/10 · Rhythmic Entropy: 6.8/10

Comparative Performance Realizations

Across Historical Media & Eras

Raoul Pugno (Pupil of Chopin circle)1903

Acoustic Shellac 78 RPM (Victor 64018)

Rubato Elasticity:88/100

Tempo Variance:±32.4%

Extensive unnotated trills, improvised cadenza variants directly stemming from 19th-century salon practice

Duration: 3:58

Ignacy Jan Paderewski1911

Victor Red Seal 78 RPM (88321)

Rubato Elasticity:94/100

Tempo Variance:±41.2%

Pronounced hand asynchrony (limping bass/treble note anticipation) characteristic of high romantic piano aesthetics

Duration: 4:32

Arthur Rubinstein1965

Stereo Magnetic Tape / LP (RCA Red Seal LSC-7050)

Rubato Elasticity:62/100

Tempo Variance:±18.5%

Faithful adherence to Polish National Edition Urtext markings; strict ornamentation restraint

Duration: 4:28