Innehåller bibliografi och index

Listening -- not merely an "inner vision" -- Prerequisites for active listening -- Historical aspects -- Dimensions of the musical -- Ravel's Boléro and Messiaen's Chronochromie -- "My language is understood all over the world" -- the linguistic aspect of music -- Stirring and calming music -- Emotional listening -- Exemplary analyses -- Psychological categories -- Symphony -- Chamber music -- Opera and music drama -- Program music -- Ballet music -- Impressionist music -- Spatial listening -- Sacred music -- Epilogue: on silence -- an essay in cultural criticism

To grasp music in its depth dimension is an art that can be learned and perfected. Categories of formal analysis here play a subordinate role - at least as important it is to be consciously aware of timbres, dynamic processes, musical characters and expressions. Following general reflections about the art of listening, the volume in hand presents exemplary work analyses. The roster of composers introduced extends from Mozart to Bernstein, that of the genres discussed from the piano piece to the opera. A detailed register and a survey of the chief works referred to make this book an indispensable companion for both scholars and laymen