This collection investigates the structural and aesthetic properties of concertos and choral works through the lens of formal musical analysis. Sir Donald Francis Tovey, a renowned musicologist and composer, utilizes his extensive background in performance and theory to deconstruct the compositional logic of major works. The text argues that understanding the internal architecture of a piece is essential for both the performer and the listener to grasp the composer's intent.

Musicologists and students of music theory frequently cite Tovey’s work as a foundational text for formal analysis. Readers often note the academic density of the prose, which requires a high level of musical literacy to fully comprehend.