In earlier times, our musical culture had secure foundations in the church, the concert hall and the home, in the ceremonies and celebrations of ordinary life, religion and manners. In this book, Roger Scruton argues that we no longer live in that world. Fewer people now play instruments and music is, for many, a form of largely solitary enjoyment. With his characteristic precision and elegant style, Scruton explains - via chapters on Schubert, Britten, Rameau and film - how we can develop greater judgement in music, recognising both good taste and bad, establishing musical values, as well as musical pleasures.