Understanding Music: Philosophy and Interpretation - Hardcover

'As a welcome addition to Roger Scruton's continuing canon of fascinating works on the nature and meaning of music, this short, dense book amply supports his genuine and lifelong belief that aesthetic contemplation offers the key to proper understanding of motivation and meaning, not just in ourselves, but in everything around us.' - Literary Review 'Roger Scruton presents a depth of knowledge and understanding that could make listening to a symphony all the more meaningful ... worthwhile for those who would like a deeper relationship with classical music.' - Good Book Guide BBC Music Choice - 5/5 stars'Illuminating ... touching ... much to inspire. Anyone who is capable of being deeply moved by music should read it.' - BBC Music Magazine "The prolific philosopher turns his attention back to music, exploring the fundamental elements that make a great piece. Ranging from Wagner to Hoagy Carmichael and even a final chapter on 'the disaster of pop', this is trademark, provocotive Scruton." - Bookseller, 20 May 2009. BBC Music Choice - 5/5 stars'Illuminating ... touching ... much to inspire.A Anyone who is capable of being deeply moved by music should read it.' - BBC Music Magazine -The prolific philosopher turns his attention back to music, exploring the fundamental elements that make a great piece. Ranging from Wagner to Hoagy Carmichael and even a final chapter on 'the disaster of pop', this is trademark, provocotive Scruton.- - Bookseller, 20 May 2009. 4/5 stars 'Aesthetic arguments are well summarised, disagreements presented very largely without querulousness; [Scruton] ... avoids shrill dogmatism. And while he makes substantial reference to music theory, he does so without the cack-handedness of many non-specialist music students.' - Classical Music

Following his celebrated book "The Aesthetics of Music", Scruton explores the fundamental elements that constitute a great piece of music.Roger Scruton is one of the most notable British philosophers of the post-war years. Like many, Bernard Williams and Brian Magee among them, he is passionately interested in music. Indeed he has written two operas.This new book applies the theory to the practice and examines a number of composers and musical forms - from Scruton's fascination with Wagner to Boulez and Hoagy Carmichael. The book ends with a devastating chapter on pop music that will be greatly relished by many, while enraging others. The consistent and passionate argument underlying the book is one for tonality and rhythm.