This book investigates the fundamental question of how musical compositions communicate specific human emotions and psychological states to the listener. Deryck Cooke, a prominent musicologist and critic, argues that music functions as a structured language with a recognizable vocabulary of melodic intervals and harmonic progressions. He utilizes historical analysis of Western classical music to demonstrate that composers have consistently employed specific musical figures to convey distinct emotional meanings across centuries.

Musicologists frequently cite this work as a significant contribution to the study of musical semantics and the psychology of listening. While some critics argue that the author's interpretations are subjective, the text remains a foundational reference for those interested in the relationship between musical structure and emotional expression.