This extremely practical introduction to musical analysis explores the factors that give unity and coherence to musical masterpieces. Having first identified and explained the most important analytical methods, Nicholas Cook examines given compositions from the last two hundred years to show how different analytical procedures suit different types of music.

Nicholas Cook , Professor of Music Cambridge University

`Its exposition of a variety of analytical methods is clear, unusually accurate, and persuasive' Jonathan Dunsby, The Times Educational Supplement |d 02/03/1995