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Mischpult im Vordergrund, im Hintergrund eine Pianistin

Music Performance Research Ways of producing, consuming and conceptualising music

The Competence Centre for Music Performance Research (MPR) investigates the conditions, processes, artefacts and effects of music production and reception. Its aim is to answer relevant questions around music practice.

To this end, the Centre conduct in-depth analyses into musical and listening processes as well as music perception and reception processes in their respective contexts. In addition, it devises strategies and processes designed to support future working musicians in their artistic development.


The current projects focus on three areas of research: “The effect of music on perception and behaviour”, “Music, health and well-being” and “Musical production and performance practice”. 

The effect of music on perception and behaviour

This area of research is dedicated to investigating how listeners experience, describe and evaluate music. The subjects include people with significant musical expertise (exam board members at music colleges, music critics, and members of music competition juries) and laypeople alike. The project investigates the musical perception, the communication/interaction among musicians and between musicians and listeners, as well as the role of the human body in music-making and listening (“embodiment”).

Schlagzeug

Onset detection of percussion instruments in complex music signals

Detecting the onset of music signals is of vital importance in performance research. If sound is emitted from several acoustic sources at the same time, traditional measurement techniques are bound to fail. This project explores an alternative, AI-based approach.

All research projects in the research area dedicated to “The effect of music on perception and behaviour” at a glance.

Music, health and well-being

This field of research revolves around the complex relationship of music and people’s health and well-being. The focus is on two main areas: using music to improve the perceived quality of life, and tracking, maintaining and promoting the health and well-being of musicians. The projects are embedded in the context of national and international professional and non-professional competence networks, aiming to promote the research results’ applicability and context-specific integration within health systems, organisations and political structures.

Profimusikerinnen und -musiker

Empowering musicians

Being a working musician is a rewarding, if demanding occupation. Many consider it a calling and pursue it with great passion. Realising one’s aspirations to excellence while remaining healthy, motivated and productive is therefore an important goal for anyone studying music.

Das neue «Alter», Seniorin hört auf einer Schaukel mit Kopfhörern Musik

Music, movement, mood and Parkinson's

Through a consultation process involving people with Parkinson’s, medical professionals and researchers, this international project is developing a new form of group therapy that uses music to improve the quality of life of people with Parkinson’s.

All research projects in the field of “Music, health and well-being” at a glance.

Musical production and performance practice

Projects within this field of research investigate musical production and interpretation from a wide-ranging historical, theoretical and cultural perspective. There are multiple types of sources to consider: audio recordings, transcripts, scores, journalistic texts, photos and visual documents can all provide insight into different aspects of music-making ranging from composition to performance practice to interpretation. Documentation is another objective of these research projects.

Archives and documentations

Orgel HSLU Campus

Organ Documentation Centre (ODZ)

Competence centre for the documentation of and research into Swiss organ culture.

All research projects in the field of “Musical production and performance practice” at a glance.