Die Stimme der Musik

* The Voice of Music* presents, for the first time, a genuine philosophy of music as language. The author examines the philosophical concepts regarding music as language that have emerged over the past century and, building on this foundation, develops his own approach to music as a distinct linguistic system. Until now, the language of music has been conceived by analogy with human language. Here, a new path is taken, one that understands music as an imitation of the human voice. Where this intrinsic vocal language of music comes from, how it functions, where its limits lie, and where its strengths lie—this new standard work reveals it all. Through hundreds of examples, music—both classical and popular—speaks for itself.

The book explores numerous threads from various academic disciplines and builds upon key works in the philosophy of music and musicology. It examines music systematically and within the context of a long evolutionary history. Furthermore, the book is written from the perspective of musical practice—drawing equally on composition and performance, listening and reflection on music. Finally, the book offers perspectives on cultures beyond the Western world, including Africa, India, the Middle East, and Australia. *The Voice of Music* takes a fundamental approach to music. Consequently, it covers not only classical music but also jazz, pop, film and media music, and, last but not least, contemporary music.

Deeply rooted in human evolution, dating back to every childhood, and widespread throughout the world, music raises its voice to enrich the human condition with what it has developed independently over many centuries—and what hardly anyone would want to do without. In this way, music becomes an integral part of modern culture, much like literature, film, and the visual arts.

About the Author

Claus-Steffen Mahnkopf, born in 1962, studied music and philosophy, including under Jürgen Habermas. He is a composer with an extensive body of work spanning all genres, as well as the author of numerous books. He edits the journal *Musik & Ästhetik* and teaches composition at the University of Music and Theatre in Leipzig. *Die Stimme der Musik* is his major theoretical work. Further publications: Critical Theory of Music (2006), On Messianic Freedom: Global Society – Art – Music (2016), and The Art of Composing (2022).