Listening to music is a multifaceted process: one wants to understand a composition, but beyond that, one seeks to grasp what lies beyond the music and may only be expressed through it. Hans Zender is one of the most distinguished composers of our time and is among the few who regularly write about music. This book addresses, among other things, the relationship between music and language, Anton Bruckner, thoughts on "spiritual music," and engaged interventions in current cultural policy. A passion runs through these contributions: art should move us, and we should sharpen our senses for art that is being created today. Any music must be listened to attentively.