"This book continues to develop Hatten's theory of musical physical based on the principles of semiotic theory as introduced in Musical Meaning in Beethoven (1994). In Part One, Hatten applies his theories of markedness, topics, and tropes to individual works by Beethoven and Schubert, ending the section with a chapter that presents an overview of topics, genres, and forms as tropes in Baroque, Classical, and Romantic music.".

"Part Two introduces a new approach by combining critical theory with biological and psychological theories of gesture, thereby surpassing the limits of conventional semiotic analysis. Within this section, Hatten presents analyses of Classical period works by Beethoven, Mozart, and Schubert. Part three extends these ideas into a theory of musical continuity, with several analyses of Beethoven's late works."--BOOK JACKET.