Research conducted by scientists from the University of Pennsylvania has unveiled new insights into the music of Johann Sebastian Bach, known for its complex and structured composition. The study utilized instruments of information theory to delve into how Bach’s music can transmit semantic messages, attracting the attention of both musicians and scientists.
In the new study, Bach’s works were presented as networks, with each node representing a note and the lines between nodes representing transitions between these notes. This approach allowed researchers to quantify the amount of information contained in these musical networks, using the concept of information entropy proposed by mathematician Claude Shannon in 1948 to understand how Bach’s compositions were organized in terms of information transmission.
By analyzing hundreds of Bach works, researchers found that different musical forms, such as chorals, tokkates, and preludes, varied significantly in terms of transmitted information. Chorals, simpler and intended for choral performance, contained less intense information compared to more complex inventions and preludes often performed on keyboards.
The study also revealed that networks based on Bach’s music have structural features that aid in the perception and interpretation of music by the human brain. Despite the brain not always fully understanding complex networks, it tends to grasp the overall picture, simplifying the digestion of Bach’s compositions even if they are rich in information.
This analytical approach is not limited to Bach’s music alone. Researchers suggest that similar analyses can be applied to other composers and music from diverse cultural traditions, offering opportunities to study the evolution of musical styles and how different musical structures impact perception and emotional responses in listeners.
Looking ahead, researchers aim to include additional musical parameters like rhythm, volume, and instrument timbre in their analysis to gain a more comprehensive understanding of how complex musical structures interact with the emotions and perception of listeners. This is particularly crucial for music as intricate and profound as Bach’s works.
The study not only illuminates the intricacies of Bach’s musical language but also paves the way for exploring how music conveys messages and how it is perceived by the human brain, presenting new avenues for research in the realm of music and cognition.