Philosophy of music has flourished in the last thirty years, with great advances made in the understanding of the nature of music and its aesthetics. Peter Kivy has been at the centre of this flourishing, and now offers his personal introduction to philosophy of music, a clear and lively explanation of how he sees the most important and interesting philosophical issues relating to music. Anyone interested in music will find this a stimulating introduction to some fascinating questions and ideas.

Preface, 1 Philosophy of..., 2 A Little History, 3 Emotions in the Music, 4 A Little More History, 5 Formalism, 6 Enhanced Formalism, 7 The Emotions in You, 8 Foes of Formalism, 9 First the Words: Then the Music, 10 Words without Songs, 11 The Work, 12 And the Performace Thereof, 13 Why Should you Listen?, Readings and References, Index