Dissertation Index
Author: Castren, Marcus Title: RECREL: A Similarity Measure for Set-Classes Institution: Sibelius Academy Begun: January 1991 Completed: December 1994 Abstract: In the field of pitch-class set theory, a number of different similarity relations have been developed with the purpose of identifying aspects of similarity between pcsets and set-classes. Out of these, the present study concentrates on similarity relations which compare interval- class or subset-class vectors. The focus is especially on similarity measures, i.e. similarity relations assigning a degree of similarity for two set-classes. Such a degree is given as a numeric value on some known scale of values. Three main categories of similarity relations are identified. First, similarity relations not returning numeric values. Second, similarity measures comparing only two interval-class or subset-class vectors at a time. Third, total measures comparing all subset-class vectors belonging to two set-classes. This ordering of the categories is considered to reflect increasing descriptive powers. A set of relevance criteria which each similarity relation should fulfil is determined. 21 similarity relations presented previously in the pitch-class set-theoretical literature are then evaluated with these criteria. Other means of demonstrating the strengths and weaknesses of individual similarity relations are also used. The RECREL similarity measure, belonging to the total measure category, is introduced and evaluated with the set of criteria. The values it produces are examined from different viewpoints. Also, it is used to analyse aspects of Arnold Schoenberg's Op. 11, No. 1. A demonstrational computer program constitutes a part of the study. With it the user can examine the various stages of a RECREL comparison, as well as manipulate RECREL values in a number of different ways. Keywords: Pitch-class set theory, similarity relations, similarity measures TOC: Definitions Chapter 1: Introduction Chapter 2: Similarity Relation Evaluation Criteria Chapter 3: Evaluating Similarity Relations Chapter 4: RECREL Chapter 5: The RECREL Values Chapter 6: An Analytical Application. Aspects of Arnold Schoenberg's Opus 11, Number 1 Chapter 7: Conclusions Glossary Appendix: RECREL Demo Program Manual Bibliography Contact: E-Mail: castren@csc.fi Address: Sibelius Academy, P.O. Box 86, 00251 Helsinki, Finland Fax: 358-0-4054-755 Voice: 358-0-4054-509 |