String Musicians and Vocal Expressivity in Early and Modern Recordings of Schubert’s Ave Maria

Portamento use by classical singers and string players in recordings of Ave Maria by Schubert from two different time periods (1906–1931 and 1999–2020) is examined in this study to compare the presence of voice-mimicking characteristics in performances by cellists and violinists. Furthermore, an additional detailed analysis of the main motive inquired into alternative expressive strategies by modern string players that mirror vocal expressivity. Findings included clear evidence of voice-mimicking portamento by string players from the beginning of the century but hardly any by modern performers. The second analysis showed clear divergence between the expressive strategies of string musicians and singers, but also several instances of similarities that point to the possibility of modern string musicians emulating vocal expressivity through alternative means (dynamic phrasing, timbre, and vibrato).