The first stage of this study will be to discuss the problem of musical syntax and semantics, since the methodological tools employed are based on theories of musical representation. The controversy starts in the nineteenth century when the first studies about music aesthetics are written and musicologists consider the problem of musical symbolization. Their essential question is: does music refer to, represent, or express something beyond the music itself, or does music have only a purely musical meaning?

If adherents to the notion of absolute music were able to return to ancient times, their views would probably be met with perplexity, for no ancient philosopher argued that music was absolute and expressed only itself. Music of those times is treated as syncretic art, very often connected with ritual and spiritual practices, and the idea of music for and of itself is unknown. Music is recognized as an important educational tool and has a special role in maintaining the law of the country; the best example of this can be found in Plato's dialogue The Republic. According to Plato, rhythms, scales, and musical instruments are symbols of the psyche and have a profound impact on the human soul. The ancient Greeks believe that music can mimic the state of the human soul; some melodies are desirable and of great value in moral education, whereas others are forbidden, since they are too emotional and have an orgiastic character. In fact, music is divided into the moral dichotomy of good or bad, and this affects musical thought for the subsequent millennium. As James writes, “In The Republic Socrates tells us that the Mixolydian and the Hyperlydian modes are dirgelike and ought to be done away with, for they are useless ‘even to women’. The Ionian and certain Lydian modes, on the other hand, are relaxing and convivial […]. That leaves the Dorian and Phrygian modes, which he allows: the former because it emboldens warriors and helps them accept and cope with setbacks, the latter because it has potent persuasive powers to induce temperance, moderation, and law-abidingness.”