iTunes freezes and won't play

I have recently had trouble with iTunes. While playing my music, it will suddenly stop in the middle of a track. Interestingly, the play button makes it appear to still be playing. Usually, if I wait a few seconds, hit the Pause button, then hit the Play button, it will resume.

However, today it froze on a song and now won't play at all.

I've changed Preferences as suggested elsewhere, but to no avail.

I am using iTunes on a PC, as I have been for more than a decade. I am playing songs I have recorded to my PC.

Any suggestions?