Erik Satie (1866–1925) Vexations First recording and performance analysis of the entire 28-hour performance (project description and data)

Welcome to the Vexations recording homepage. All researchers are invited to use the data presented in this homepage for further analysis. However, by downloading you accept (a) that the copyright of the data is owned by Reinhard Kopiez and (b) an acknowledgment of the source of data and owner of copyright in intended publications must be mentioned. Thank you.

Author contact: reinhard.kopiez(at)hmtm-hannover.de

Short project description:

The main aim of this project was to develop adequate methods for the performance analysis of long-term musical performances.
The first recording of a continuous performance of Satie's composition 'Vexations' was used as an example. This composition comprises one theme and two variations. It has to be repeated 840 times in a very slow tempo which results in a total performance duration of roughly 28 hours. Performance analysis was based on EEG data, MIDI and acoustical data. Linear as well as non-linear methods were applied to analyze changes in loudness and tempo.

The performance took place in May 2000, in Dresden, Germany. The pianist was Armin Fuchs (Würzburg, Germany).

Sound example of "Vexations" in MIDI-format or in 'human' performance" (MP3 format, 2 MB).

Current publications:

• Kopiez, R. (1998). Die Performance von Erik Saties Vexations aus Pianistensicht. In R. Kopiez et al. (Eds.), Musikwissenschaft zwischen Kunst, Ästhetik und Experiment. (Festschrift Helga de la Motte-Haber zum 60. Geburtstag) (pp. 303–311). Würzburg: Königshausen & Neumann. [Extensive interview with the pianist Armin Fuchs (in German). (pdf document) ].
  
  
• Kohlmetz, C., Kopiez, R. & Altenmüller, E. (2003). Stability of motor programs during a state of meditation: Electrocortical activity in a pianist playing 'Vexations' by Erik Satie continuously for 28 hours. Psychology of Music, 31(2), 173-186. (pdf document )
  
  
• Kopiez, R., Bangert, M., Goebl, W. & Altenmüller, E. (2003). Tempo and loudness analysis of a continuous 28-hour performance of Erik Satie's composition 'Vexations'. Journal of New Music Research, 32(3), 243-258. (pdf document )
• Kopiez, R. & Bangert, M. (2009). Die Visualisierung von Langzeit-Performancedaten am Beispiel von Erik Saties "Vexations". Musikpsychologie, 20, 243-249. (pdf document )
  
  
• Score of 'Vexations' (pdf file )
  
  
  

Researcher group:

• Professor Reinhard Kopiez, Hanover University of Music and Drama, Hanover Music Lab
  (Professor for Music Psychology and main investigator).
  Contact: reinhard.kopiez(at)hmtm-hannover.de
  
  
• Professor Eckart Altenmüller, Hanover University of Music and Drama, Institut für Musikphysiologie und Musikermedizin
  (co-investigator)

• Loudness curve (in sone, 10 ms resolution) and onsets from the acoustical recording (two-column textfile, 25.5 MB)
  
  
• MIDI file (Vex28.mid, 1 MB).
  Note: SMF 1 format with note events on track 1 and pedal events on track 3. Most sequencers (Cubase etc.) have difficulties opening the MIDI file. However, the MIDI file can best be played with Windows Media Player. Sound starts at 4' 40''. If needed, the file can be converted to a text file with the tool Midi file to text (mf2t) by Piet van Oostrum (running in a DOS environment).
  Comment: Due to technical difficulties during the MIDI recording, 'Vexations' begins with note number 4 of the theme.
  
  
• EEG recording (138 MB zip file). Persyst data format. Can only be opened by Persyst software EEG-Suite.
  
  
• To obtain an evaluation copy of Persyst EEG-Suite analysis software see
  http://www.eeg-persyst.com/web/DownloadSoftware.html
  
  
• MP3 file (56 kB, mono; 660 MB). In case of interest please contact author.
  
  
• Raw data of the entire performance (stereo, 44.1 kHz, 16 bit; about 16 Gigabyte). In case of interest please contact author.
  
  
• Vex3D software for visualization of MIDI timing and loudness performance data (only for Windows).

Extensive documentary of the Vexations project on YouTube

Broadcast report on German television 3sat (May 2000, in German)

Is playing the piano for 28 hours harmful? The Guardian (Marc Abrahams), 29 November 2010

The project has been sponsored by

Hanover University of Music, Drama and Media

Yamaha Europe

Culture foundation of Saxony