Classical Music, Why Bother?: Hearing the World of Contemporary Culture Through a Composer's Ears by Joshua Fineberg

If I had to choose one piece of literature that completely revolutionized my sense of contemporary classical music, aesthetics, and the underlying elements of all artistic endeavors, it would be Classical Music: Why Bother.
Throughout its extensively articulated chapters Joshua Fineberg illustrates the most prominent considerations and schools of thought regarding the musical establishment, addressing its cultural, economic, social and political aspects and commenting on their influence towards the classical music tradition.
I recommend this read for anyone, especially those looking for a comprehensive assessment of music as an art-form, its underlying criteria, and whether or not the idea of 'absolute value' exists in art, and if it does, what may be the criteria we could use?