Th e question of the existence of "European music" raises in the fi eld of musicology problems of a diff erent nature than those posed, for example, in the fi eld of comparative literature by the notion of "European literature". Musicologists are mainly concerned with the diff erences between European and non-European music, however in everyday life the idea that music is a universal "language" is widespread. We need to distinguish, though, between the various manifestations of music which coexist on diff erent cultural (national), sociological and aesthetic levels. Th e study of western art music shows that the dichotomy between national/regional, on the one hand, and universal on the other is a paradoxical one -national music is oft en performed using universal techniques and indeed a typical national style can outgrow its original home territory to become an international style. Th us diff erent musics ("languages") should be seen as rational musical systems comprising by defi nition a diversity of musical norms and conventions. European music exists as a historical succession of such musical systems.