Hellaby (music, Coventry U., UK), a pianist, offers an approach to analyzing a musical performance from the perspective of the listener. He provides a framework for analysis that incorporates aspects of different recordings, varying interpretations, the importance of an analytical listener, and elements such as style, genre, authorship, tempo, and topic, and applies this framework to three piano pieces: Brahms' Variations and Fugue on a Theme by Handel, Bach's Toccata in D major, and Messiaen's "Premiére communion de la Vierge." A CD of the pieces performed by Hellaby is included. Annotation ©2010 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)