What is musical talent? A pathology or a God-given gift? How is the genius of Tchaikovsky different from the genius of Wagner? What explains the amazing love of music in people with Williams syndrome, and why, conversely, those who suffer from “amusia” perceive it as an unbearable heap of sounds? What changes occurred in the consciousness of a person who, surviving a lightning strike, unexpectedly became a fervent admirer of Chopin—and even learned to play the piano so he could perform the composer’s works?