Book Review

Music Alone: Philosophical Reflections on the Purely Musical Experience
by Peter Kivy

This book takes a look at how we experience and enjoy "pure" instrumental music of the Western canon, that is, music with no text or program. Most chamber music and symphonies fall into this category. Kivy examines how we perceive this music and what about it gives us pleasure. He especially looks at how music is expressive of emotions and the different ways people listen to and understand it. Kivy is very, very good at explaining his views and taking the reader through his arguments. I found a lot to relate to in his perspective, but I do wish that he had been less dismissive of the role of physical and neurological stimulation in our enjoyment of music.