Music remains something of a mystery to many people. This book begins with the basic question of what music actually is, employing simple, clear scientific explanations of waves and acoustics while appreciating them as part of God's natural creation. It presents fascinating theories about how music is perceived and how it speaks to the mind, emotions, and spirit— concepts rarely addressed outside academia, and even more rarely examined through the lens of Catholic theology.

This comprehensive, yet accessible, theology of all things music is written by an internationally respected classical composer who teaches music at a top secular university. It is groundbreaking in its treatment of music from a Christian perspective, and it presents a most penetrating insider's view into the troubled waters of contemporary classical music. It is particularly timely in advocating a return to the little-known norms for liturgical music found in the documents of Vatican II.