Musical Listening in the German Enlightenment

Focusing on the concept of attention in music, this book delves into its historical roots within German musical thought of the late eighteenth century. Matthew Riley analyzes influential figures such as Descartes, Leibniz, and Rousseau, exploring how their writings on attention influenced contemporary interpretations of music. Through detailed case studies, the text illustrates the evolving perceptions of audience attentiveness and its impact on the cultural practices surrounding concert-going in modern Western music.