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CHOICE Review

Through the acute ear and mind of a composer, this book--rich with insights, speculation, and judicious appraisals of recent studies by experimental psychologists--challenges the reader to adopt new ways of listening. A dozen chapters explore Kramer's "critical theme": "Music becomes meaningful in and through time." Some are detailed "analytic interludes" which, although hardly unessential, will necessarily be skimmed by readers without strong theoretical backgrounds. Analyses include Beethoven, Schoenberg, Webern, and Rzewski; there is exceptionally thorough study of Stravinsky's Symphonies of Wind Instruments with its "seven moment types." A brief critique can only suggest the range of this comprehensive book; chapter subheadings (selected by this reviewer via a Fibonacci sequence) include: The Divided Mind; Linearity and Markov Process; Durational Proportions in Tonal Music; Relativity of Time Concepts; Accent in the Four-Bar Phrase. . .; Starting with an Ending. . .; Proportions; Altered States. The book includes musical examples (including intriguing "Recompositions"), 672 notes, a glossary, a 578-entry bibliography ranging from Al-Azm to Zuckerkandl, and an index. The value of this exceptional book--written with refreshing candor: "I agree"; "I will maintain my skepticism"--can hardly be overestimated. Upper-division undergraduate and graduate/faculty readership. -J. Behrens, University of Western Ontario