Concert hall acoustics influence the emotional impact of music
Vienna Musikverein is a classic shoebox-type concert hall.
Earlier research has shown that the strongest emotional experiences by music listening may elicit shivers or goosebumps in the listener. Much weaker reactions can be detected from the variations in the electrical skin conductance. Based on this knowledge, the researchers presented the test subjects an excerpt of Beethoven’s symphony with the acoustics measured in different concert halls. During listening, the skin conductance was measured with sensors attached in the listeners’ fingers in order to record the magnitude of the emotional reactions to different acoustic conditions.
The results revealed that an identical performance of classical orchestra music evoked stronger emotional impact when presented in the acoustics of shoebox-type concert halls, such as Vienna Musikverein or Berlin Konzerthaus. The study included identically selected two positions from six European concert halls: Vienna Musikverein, Amsterdam Concertgebouw, Berlin Konzerhaus and Philharmonie, Cologne Philharmonie, and Helsinki Music Centre.
“Some interpretations of a same music piece can evoke stronger emotions than others. Similarly, our study has succeeded in demonstrating that the hall’s acoustics plays an important part in the overall emotional impact. After all, emotional experiences are a key factor in music to many listeners,” says Dr. Jukka Pätynen.
For decades, researchers on concert hall acoustics have aspired to explain the acoustical success of certain halls with room-acoustic parameters. The study by Finnish researchers is the first to assess the acoustics of existing concert halls as the emotional impact.
Helsinki Music Centre represents a more modern concert hall design.
Dr. Jukka Pätynen works as an Academy of Finland post-doctoral researcher in Professor Tapio Lokki’s Virtual Acoustics research group. The group aims to understand how room acoustics affect sound signals, and how people perceive room acoustic properties. Research focuses on improved prediction and understanding of concert halls and other acoustically demanding spaces.
Journal of the Acoustical Society of America (JASA) Article: “Concert halls with strong and lateral sound increase the emotional impact of orchestra music”, by Jukka Pätynen and Tapio Lokki.
URL:
Video with sound examples:
For more information:
Dr. Jukka Pätynen
+358 440 585547
jukka.patynen@aalto.fi
Aalto University School of Science, Department of Computer Science
Professor Tapio Lokki
+358 40 5782486
tapio.lokki@aalto.fi
Aalto University School of Science, Department of Computer Science
Read more news
Research Council of Finland establishes a Center of Excellence in Quantum Materials
The Centre, called QMAT, creates new materials to power the quantum technology of coming decades.
Major funding powers development of next-generation machine technology aimed at productivity leap in export sectors
The BEST research project is developing new types of sealing, bearing, and damping technology.
The TAIMI project builds an equal working life – a six-year consortium project seeks solutions to recruitment and skill challenges
Artificial intelligence (AI) is changing skill requirements, the population is aging, and the labor shortage is deepening. Meanwhile, the potential of international experts often remains unused in Finland. These challenges in working life are addressed by the six-year TAIMI project funded by the Strategic Research Council, and implemented by a broad consortium.