What is Meant by Emotional Expression?

Abstract

This chapter sets out the aims and objectives of Part 2 of this book, which is to take a closer look at a phenomenon that is almost universally acknowledged across the disciplines — namely, that music is heard as expressive of emotions by listeners. It addresses the following questions: Why is music perceived as expressive of emotions? Can musicians actually convey emotions to listeners? Which emotions does music express? How are the different emotions expressed? What is the role of the performer? Are there cross-cultural similarities in how the emotions are expressed? How is emotional expression related to the human voice? Can a computer express emotions? How is music able to convey complex emotions? Why are some authors critical of regarding music as the expression of emotions?