Introduction

AbstractThe concept of meaning and the search for it (Heraclitus). Interest of the author in the problems of musical expression inspired by the book of the musicologist B. Asaf’ev Musical Form as a Process, and particularly its second part, Intonation. Music as the art of intoned meaning. Intonation as an instrument for feeling the spirit of a creative work. The relationship between interpretation and philosophy in the view of the Lithuanian philosopher A. Maceina. Interpretation as a way for a creative work to come into being. Theory and practice, tekhne and arete (Aristotle). Meaning and orientation towards values from an early age (A. Schopenhauer). Meaning not a given, but a process, movement, direction (in the words of the Lithuanian philosopher R. Pavilionis), or, in the words of the author, “intonational intention.” Knowledge versus understanding (A. Schopenhauer, C. Taylor, Heraclitus). Expression as the result of understanding. The author will use comparative and analogical methods, but does not claim to produce a comprehensive study of the subject of musical expression.