Theory of musical equilibration

The theory of musical equilibration (in German: die strebetendenz-theorie or, literally, the tendency to strive theory) is a psychological theory that argues that music does not elicit emotion directly and that, instead, the listener "identifies with musically-encoded processes of will" and interprets them to produce an emotional effect.

"Music and Emotions - Research on the Theory of Musical Equilibration" is the English edition of the German publication "Musik und Emotionen - Studien zur Strebetendenz-Theorie" by Daniela and Bernd Willimek; it was translated by Laura Russell. The first part of the book addresses the main premise of the Theory.