Music Alone: Philosophical Reflections on the Purely Musical Experience

by Peter Kivy

What makes a musical work profound? What is it about pure instrumental music that the listener finds attractive and rewarding? In addressing these questions, Peter Kivy continues his highly regarded exploration of the philosophy of musical aesthetics. He considers here what he believes to be the most difficult subject of all―"just plain music; music unaccompanied by text, title, subject, program, or plot; in other words, music alone."

Genres: Music, Philosophy

240 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1990

Reviews

[James Henderson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Peter Kivy commences this thoughtful book with one of my favorite words: "why". Specifically he asks: "Why Music?"(p 1) This metaphysical beginning is appropriate for a book that explores the shape of music; its surface and depth and the whatness of music. His subject is the philosophy of music, that is the study of fundamental questions about the nature of music and our experience of it. However, unlike philosophy of science, say, the philosophy of an artistic practice, such as music, is one that most people have a significant background in, merely as a result of being members of a musical culture. Music plays a central role in many people's lives.
In this collection of essays Kivy states that by music he means "the kind which Bach's Well-Tempered Clavier and Beethoven's C#-minor String Quartet are paradigm cases"(p 14). He fascinates the reader with discussions of music as stimulating the passions or music as a form of mimesis. The mimetic view of music can be difficult to discern in more abstract music, but is particularly visible in "program music" such as that popularized by the Romantic composers like Berlioz's Symphonie Fantastique. Indeed a strong supporter of Berlioz's music, Jacques Barzun, argues that "all music is programmatic, explicitly or implicitly, in more than one way"(p53).
Through sharing philosophic thoughts on how to understand music, its movement and emotional impact on the listener, Peter Kivy presents reflections that challenge the reader (presumably a music-lover and fellow listener) to meditate on the nature of the experience of music. This reader found the discussions illuminating with clarity and elegance that honored the experience of music.

[Carol · Rating 4 out of 5]

(3.5 stars)
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.