Temporal analysis of: Étude aux chemins des fer (1948) by Pierre Schaeffer

 

This presentation provides a temporal analysis of this pioneering work. As the first piece of musique concrète, Schaeffer’s recordings of train sounds are masterfully blended into a new form of sound art that creates an abstraction of real-life sound into art. Because of it’s unique nature, little in the field of analysis has been done to better define the formal structure of this highly listenable work. A temporal analysis uncovers a surprisingly traditional form, and clear, balances sections and cadences.

The podcast Introduction to Analysis of Temporal Elements in Music should be viewed prior to viewing this analysis.