I think of myself foremost as a pianist and teacher; my research is a way to explore how great piano playing works. Mostly I study recordings, approaching them with a variety of methodologies including deep context and statistics. Recently, I’ve turned my attention to the intersection between performance-oriented musicology and piano pedagogy. Below are a couple of projects available online:
Rector, M. (2021). Performing Structure: Tempo in Glenn Gould’s “Goldberg Variations”. Zeitschrift der Gesellschaft für Musiktheorie [Journal of the German-speaking Society of Music Theory], 18(Sonderausgabe [Special Issue]), 79-112.
https://www.gmth.de/zeitschrift/artikel/1121.aspx
Rector, M. (2020). Historical Trends in Expressive Timing Strategies: Chopin’s Etude, Op. 25 no. 1. Empirical Musicology Review, 15(3-4), 176-201.
https://emusicology.org/article/view/7338
Here is my complete list of publications:
Publications – Research articles
Rector, M. (2024). “A Feeling in his Bones: The Outtakes from Glenn Gould’s 1955 Goldberg Variations.” Music & Practice. DOI: 10.32063/1104
Rector, M. (2024). “Emulating Bartók: The Pedagogy of Strict Imitation.” MTNA e-Journal.
Rector, M. (2023). “‘In my mind’s eye’: Harmonic digression in Chopin’s Op. 9.” Context 49.
Rector, M. (2022). “‘In-between’ Performance: Morton Feldman’s Piano (Three Hands).” Perspectives of New Music 60:2.
Rector, M. (2021). “Performing Structure: Tempo in Glenn Gould’s Goldberg Variations.” ZGMTH (Zeitschrift der Gesellschaft für Musiktheorie) 18 (Special Issue), 79-112.
Rector, M. (2020). “Historical Trends in Expressive Timing Strategies: Chopin’s Etude Op. 25 No. 1.” Empirical Musicology Review 15:3-4.
Rector, M. (2015). “Feinberg on Technique and Sound Production.” MTNA e-Journal.
Pedagogy magazine articles:
“Asynchrony ≠ Anarchy.” American Music Teacher. August 2024.
“Sonic Visualizer: A Tool for Closer Listening.” American Music Teacher. Mar. 2018.
“Pianist as Artist: Samuil Feinberg on the Role of the Performer.” Clavier Companion. May 2017.
“Fascinating Corruptions: Historical Editions in Perspective.” American Music Teacher. Feb. 2014.