What does music represent in the novel, City of Thieves?

Music represents hope that overcomes the death situations. During the bombings, most people ran to underground shelters, but a persistent pianist played the music of wartime, a unique tune that Lev had never heard before and never heard again. The pianist must have considered music as something more important than his own safety. He did not fear for his own life and run underground; instead, he played his music high in his apartment. Similarly, Kolya and Lev appreciate the music and they linger and then stand still by the apartment as he plays. And when he finishes playing, they wait for a respectful time to continue their walking, in spite of the freezing nighttime and legitimate need to hurry to shelter.