Music, Imagination, and Culture [Paperback]

Musicians imagine music by means of functional models which determine certain aspects of the music while leaving others open. This gap between image and the experience it models offers a source of compositional creativity; different musical cultures embody different ways of imagining sound as music. Drawing on psychological and philosophical materials as well as the analysis of specific musical examples, Cook here defines the difference between music theory and aesthetic criticism, and affirms the importance of the ordinary listener in musical culture.

A fascinating, learned, provocative book....It will start a debate amongst musical theorists which will continue over many years. --Anthony Storr

I want to urge anyone interested in musical aesthetics to read it. The book is written with passion, with intelligence, and with deep understanding of music. --Journal of Aesthetics and Art Criticism

A landmark work of significant interest not only to musicians but, equally, to all who listen to music. --Choice

A bold and ambitious book. --Times Literary Supplement