What is Music?

As a musician who has composed, played and listened in many different genres, I sometimes find myself wondering what they have in common.

How does medieval polyphony relate to hip-hop? How does jazz relate to heavy metal? How does John Cage relate to Lutoslawski or Philip Glass? What do they all have in common? They have all been called music, but what is it that ties them together?

Some music can be defined by its emotional expression, but that definition falls short with much art music that is created with formulas and intellect. Some music can be defined by its use of pitches, tones and rhythms to structure sound, but that definition would include so much that isn't music, like sound design, poetry and oratory.

Perhaps it is beside the point to search for a cut and dried definition to such a varied and versatile art form. Perhaps music's elusiveness is fundamental to its magic. Perhaps it is elemental to art that it can not be defined or constricted, for the very moment you think you can grasp it, it changes and foils all preconceptions.

If music were definable or predictable, I imagine that it would lose its wonder.