Music and Emotions - Research on the Theory of Musical Equilibration (die Strebetendenz-Theorie)

Abstract: "Music and Emotions - Research on the Theory of Musical Equilibration" is the English edition of the German publication "Musik und Emotionen - Studien zur Strebetendenz-Theorie" by Daniela and Bernd Willimek; it was translated by Laura Russell. The first part of the book addresses the main premise of the Theory. It states that in contrast to previous hypotheses, music does not directly describe emotions: instead, it evokes processes of the will which the listener identifies with. It is not until these processes are experienced that music appears to take on an emotional character. The Theory of Musical Equilibration applies this principle as it constructs a system which outlines and explains the emotional nature of musical harmonies. Numerous examples from the repertoire of classical music are used to illustrate how composers selected particular harmonic structures to communicate different emotions. The second part of the book focuses on demonstrating the emotional nature of musical

Object Details

• Location: Deutsche Nationalbibliothek Frankfurt am Main
• Extent: Online-Ressource
• Language: Englisch
• Notes: Postprint ; begutachtet

Classification and Topics

• Classification: Musik

Contributors, Places and Time

• Event: Veröffentlichung
• (where): Mannheim
• (who): SSOAR, GESIS – Leibniz-Institut für Sozialwissenschaften e.V.
• (when): 2013
• Creator: Willimek, Daniela ; Willimek, Bernd

Further information

• DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.6421210
• URN: urn:nbn:de:0168-ssoar-78575-0
• Rights: Open Access; Der Zugriff auf das Objekt ist unbeschränkt möglich.
• Last update: 14.08.2025, 10:52 AM CEST