A study conducted by the “ECR—Experimental Concert Research” project has unveiled a deep and synchronous connection between classical music and the human body. The study, which involved 132 audience members attending three different classical public concerts, explored the physiological and motor responses of listeners as they enjoyed chamber music pieces composed by Ludwig van Beethoven, Brett Dean, and Johannes Brahms.

The primary goal of this research was to analyze the extent to which music could induce synchronous physiological and movement responses in the audience, a phenomenon termed “induction synchrony.” Additionally, the study aimed to investigate the connection between these synchronies and participants’ aesthetic experiences, affective responses, and personality traits. These aspects were assessed through questionnaires administered both before and after the concerts.

The results of the study provided clear and compelling evidence of physiological synchrony in the audience, as observed in measures such as heart rate, respiration rate, and skin conductance response. Moreover, the study identified a remarkable degree of movement synchrony among the concertgoers, signifying that the audience’s bodily responses resonated with the music and embodied their musical perception. It was found, however, that breathing behavior did not synchronize to the music.

The research also established a direct correlation between bodily synchrony and the aesthetic experiences of the audience. In particular, heart-rate synchrony was significantly higher when listeners reported feeling emotionally moved, inspired, and deeply immersed in the music. The study further revealed that individual contributions to induction synchrony were influenced by the audience’s unique personality traits.

The study was conducted during three live concerts featuring classical music performed by a string quintet, each organized under the auspices of the “ECR—Experimental Concert Research” project. Aesthetic experiences of the audience members were assessed in relation to the entire concert experience as well as individual musical pieces. Prior to the concerts, listeners’ personality traits were measured, and their emotional states were recorded both before and after the performances.

Physiological responses of audience members were meticulously recorded throughout the concerts, with motion-capture technology capturing every movement of the listeners via ceiling cameras in the concert hall. The study’s first hypothesis, which anticipated the presence of induction synchrony at different levels of physiology, was strongly supported by the findings. Furthermore, the research confirmed the hypothesis that the body movements of audience members would be synchronized.

The study built upon previous research that measured audience physiology per musical bar, employing different concert venues and self-report questionnaires. In contrast, the current research utilized comprehensive and validated questionnaires to investigate the connection between physiological and movement synchrony, personality traits, affectivity, and aesthetic experiences.

These findings shed new light on the profound relationship between classical music and the human experience, providing valuable insights into the ways in which music can harmonize with our physiology and movements. The “ECR—Experimental Concert Research” project continues to expand our understanding of the transformative power of music and its profound impact on the human soul.

 

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Paper

Audience synchronies in live concerts illustrate the embodiment of music experience

Authors: Wolfgang Tschacher, Steven Greenwood, Sekhar Ramakrishnan, Martin Tröndle, Melanie Wald-Fuhrmann, Christoph Seibert, Christian Weining & Deborah Meier

Scientific Reports volume 13, Article number: 14843 (2023) Published: 05 October 2023

 

Press release / News

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