Program music is a type of instrumental music that tells a story or depicts a scene or idea. It is often contrasted with absolute or abstract music, which is solely focused on the musical structure and does not have any extramusical meaning. Program music can be found throughout history, with composers of the Renaissance writing program music for the harpsichord and Romantic composers like Berlioz and Liszt popularizing the genre in the 19th century.
One of the defining characteristics of program music is that it carries some extramusical meaning, such as a literary idea, legend, or personal drama. This meaning is often conveyed through the use of descriptive titles or program notes that accompany the music. Examples of program music include Berlioz’s Symphonie fantastique, which tells the story of an artist’s unrequited love and subsequent descent into madness, and Mussorgsky’s Pictures at an Exhibition, which depicts a tour of an art exhibition through a musical interpretation of various paintings.
While program music has been criticized by some for being too reliant on the extramusical meaning and not enough on the musical structure, it remains a popular genre among composers and listeners alike. Its ability to tell a story or convey an idea through music allows for a unique and powerful listening experience.
Program Music
Program music is a form of instrumental music that conveys some non-musical idea, such as a literary work, scenic description, or personal drama. It is often contrasted with absolute or abstract music, where artistic interest is confined to abstract constructions in sound. In this section, we will explore the different types of program music and some notable composers who have contributed to this genre.
Composers
Many composers have contributed to the development of program music, including Hector Berlioz, Franz Liszt, Richard Strauss, and Sergei Rachmaninoff. Berlioz’s “Symphonie Fantastique” is a prime example of program music, where each movement conveys a different episode in the life of an artist. Liszt’s “Les Preludes” is another famous example, where the music is inspired by a poem of the same name by Alphonse de Lamartine.
Symphonic Poem
A symphonic poem is a single-movement orchestral piece that tells a story or describes a scene or emotion. It is a form of program music that was popularized by Franz Liszt. The symphonic poem is characterized by its free form and its use of thematic transformation. Some famous symphonic poems include “Also sprach Zarathustra” by Richard Strauss and “The Moldau” by Bedřich Smetana.
Program Symphony
A program symphony is a multi-movement orchestral work that tells a story or depicts a scene. Each movement is self-contained but contributes to the overall narrative. The program symphony was popularized by Hector Berlioz, whose “Symphonie Fantastique” is a prime example of this genre. Other notable examples include Tchaikovsky’s “Symphony No. 6” and Dvořák’s “New World Symphony.”
Concert Overture
A concert overture is a single-movement orchestral piece that is not connected to any following music, such as an opera. It is often used as an opening piece in a concert program. The concert overture is characterized by its fast tempo and its use of sonata form. Some famous concert overtures include Beethoven’s “Coriolan Overture” and Mendelssohn’s “Hebrides Overture.”
Tone Poem
A tone poem is a single-movement orchestral piece that tells a story or describes a scene or emotion. It is similar to a symphonic poem but is usually more tightly structured. The tone poem is characterized by its use of thematic transformation and its use of descriptive titles. Some famous tone poems include “Don Juan” by Richard Strauss and “Till Eulenspiegel” by the same composer.
program music is a genre of instrumental music that conveys some non-musical idea. It includes different types of music, such as the symphonic poem, program symphony, concert overture, and tone poem. Many famous composers have contributed to this genre, including Berlioz, Liszt, Strauss, and Rachmaninoff.
Instruments
When it comes to program music, various instruments can be used to convey different emotions and ideas. In this section, we will focus on two instruments that have been commonly used in program music: the piano and the harpsichord.
Piano
The piano is a versatile instrument that can be used to create a wide range of moods and emotions. It can be used to create a sense of drama, tension, and excitement, as well as to convey more subtle emotions such as sadness, melancholy, and nostalgia.
In program music, the piano is often used to depict a wide variety of scenes and settings. For example, it can be used to create the sound of a storm, a gentle breeze, or the rustling of leaves in a forest. It can also be used to depict the sound of a train, a horse-drawn carriage, or even the sound of waves crashing on a beach.
Harpsichord
The harpsichord is another instrument that has been used extensively in program music. It has a distinctive sound that can be used to create a sense of elegance, refinement, and sophistication.
In program music, the harpsichord is often used to depict scenes from the past, such as the courts of kings and queens, or the grand ballrooms of old mansions. It can also be used to create a sense of mystery and intrigue, such as in the music of J.S. Bach.
both the piano and the harpsichord are versatile instruments that can be used to create a wide range of moods and emotions in program music. Whether you are looking to create a sense of drama, tension, or elegance, these instruments can help you achieve your desired effect.
Compositions
Opera
Program music in opera is often used to express emotions, ideas, or events. Composers can use different musical elements to convey these ideas, such as instrumentation, melody, harmony, and rhythm. For example, in Richard Wagner’s “Tristan und Isolde,” the music expresses the intense emotions of the characters, while in Giuseppe Verdi’s “La Traviata,” the music conveys the tragic events of the story.
Sonata
Program music in sonatas is often used to tell a story or depict a scene. Composers can use different musical forms and structures to convey these ideas, such as sonata form, theme and variations, and rondo form. For example, in Ludwig van Beethoven’s “Moonlight Sonata,” the music depicts a moonlit night, while in Franz Liszt’s “Dante Sonata,” the music tells the story of Dante’s journey through hell.
Suite
Program music in suites is often used to evoke a certain mood or atmosphere. Composers can use different dance forms and tempos to convey these ideas, such as allemandes, courantes, sarabandes, and gigues. For example, in Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky’s “The Nutcracker Suite,” the music evokes the magical atmosphere of the Christmas season, while in Johann Sebastian Bach’s “Suite No. 3 in D Major,” the music conveys a sense of elegance and refinement.
Fantasia
Program music in fantasias is often used to explore different musical ideas and themes. Composers can use different musical styles and genres to convey these ideas, such as folk music, popular music, and classical music. For example, in Franz Schubert’s “Wanderer Fantasy,” the music explores different musical ideas and themes, while in Sergei Rachmaninoff’s “Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini,” the music explores the theme of love and longing.
Concerto
Program music in concertos is often used to showcase the virtuosity of the soloist and the orchestra. Composers can use different musical forms and structures to convey these ideas, such as sonata form, theme and variations, and rondo form. For example, in Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart’s “Piano Concerto No. 21,” the music showcases the virtuosity of the soloist and the orchestra, while in Ludwig van Beethoven’s “Violin Concerto,” the music explores the different musical ideas and themes.
Art and Literature
Program music is a type of instrumental music that aims to musically render an extramusical narrative. The narrative itself might be offered to the audience through the piece’s title, or in the form of program notes, inviting imaginative correlations with the music. Program music is often inspired by art and literature, and the following sub-sections will explore some examples of how program music has been influenced by these fields.
Poem
One of the most common sources of inspiration for program music is poetry. Composers often set poems to music, creating art songs or Lieder. In program music, the composer may take the themes and emotions of a poem and translate them into a musical narrative. For example, Richard Strauss’s “Four Last Songs” are settings of poems by Hermann Hesse and Joseph von Eichendorff, and the music reflects the themes of love, death, and transcendence found in the poetry.
Literary Work
Program music can also be inspired by specific literary works. A famous example is Hector Berlioz’s “Symphonie fantastique,” which tells the story of an artist who becomes obsessed with a woman and eventually poisons himself with opium. The music follows the narrative of the story, with each movement representing a different episode in the artist’s life. Other examples of program music inspired by literature include Richard Wagner’s “Tristan und Isolde” and Sergei Prokofiev’s “Romeo and Juliet.”
Literature
In addition to specific literary works, program music can also be inspired by broader literary themes and genres. For example, the Romantic movement in music was heavily influenced by Romantic literature, with composers seeking to capture the emotions and ideals of the literary movement in their music. Similarly, Impressionist music was inspired by the Impressionist movement in literature and art, with composers seeking to capture the fleeting impressions of everyday life in their music.
Philosophy
Finally, program music can also be inspired by philosophical ideas and concepts. For example, the music of the German composer Richard Strauss was heavily influenced by the philosophy of Friedrich Nietzsche, with Strauss seeking to capture the ideals of Nietzsche’s “superman” in his music. Similarly, the music of the French composer Claude Debussy was influenced by the philosophy of symbolism, with Debussy seeking to capture the elusive and suggestive qualities of symbolist poetry in his music.
program music is a genre of instrumental music that seeks to musically render an extramusical narrative. It is often inspired by art and literature, with composers seeking to capture the themes and emotions of these fields in their music. Whether inspired by a specific poem or literary work, a broader literary theme or genre, or a philosophical idea or concept, program music continues to be a rich and diverse genre that draws on a wide range of influences.
Eras
Baroque
During the Baroque era, composers wrote program music for instruments such as the harpsichord. These works often had descriptive titles such as “The Fall of the Leafe” by Martin Peerson and “The Battell” by William Byrd. These pieces were intended to evoke extra-musical elements such as nature and specific events.
Renaissance
Composers of the Renaissance also wrote program music, but not as frequently as during the Baroque era. This music was often written for the harpsichord and was intended to evoke a specific mood or emotion.
Classical Era
In the Classical era, program music was not as prevalent as it was during the Baroque and Renaissance eras. However, composers such as Franz Joseph Haydn and Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart did write program music, such as Haydn’s “The Seasons” and Mozart’s “Eine kleine Nachtmusik.”
Romantic Era
The Romantic era saw a resurgence of program music, with composers such as Hector Berlioz and Richard Strauss writing symphonic poems and other works that were intended to evoke specific images or stories. These works often had descriptive titles and were meant to be performed with a program or explanation of the extra-musical elements they represented.
program music has been present in various forms throughout different eras of classical music history. While it was most prevalent during the Baroque and Romantic eras, it has also been found in the Renaissance and Classical eras.
Famous Composers
Berlioz
Hector Berlioz was a French composer who was one of the first great proponents of musical Romanticism in France. He was heavily influenced by Shakespeare and his music often included programmatic elements, such as in his Symphonie fantastique, which tells the story of an artist’s unrequited love and subsequent descent into madness.
Beethoven
Ludwig van Beethoven was a German composer who is considered one of the greatest composers of all time. He was known for his use of programmatic elements in his music, such as in his Symphony No. 6, which features titled movements, country dances, bird calls, and a storm.
Liszt
Franz Liszt was a Hungarian composer and pianist who is generally regarded as the most flamboyant pianist of the Romantic era. He was known for his program symphonies, which are grandiose compositions that tell a story or depict a scene.
Strauss
Richard Strauss was a German composer who was known for his use of programmatic elements in his music, such as in his tone poems, which tell a story or depict a scene. One of his most famous works is Also sprach Zarathustra, which was famously used in the film 2001: A Space Odyssey.
Saint-Saëns
Camille Saint-Saëns was a French composer who was known for his use of programmatic elements in his music, such as in his Carnival of the Animals, which depicts various animals through music.
Ellington
Duke Ellington was an American composer and bandleader who was known for his use of programmatic elements in his music, such as in his suite Black, Brown and Beige, which tells the story of African Americans in America.
Vivaldi
Antonio Vivaldi was an Italian composer who was known for his use of programmatic elements in his music, such as in his Four Seasons, which depicts the seasons through music.
Tchaikovsky
Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky was a Russian composer who was known for his use of programmatic elements in his music, such as in his 1812 Overture, which depicts the Napoleonic Wars through music.
Sibelius
Jean Sibelius was a Finnish composer who was known for his use of programmatic elements in his music, such as in his tone poem Finlandia, which depicts the struggle of the Finnish people for independence.
Haydn
Franz Joseph Haydn was an Austrian composer who was known for his use of programmatic elements in his music, such as in his Symphony No. 94, which is known as the “Surprise Symphony” due to its unexpected loud chord in the second movement.
Mussorgsky
Modest Mussorgsky was a Russian composer who was known for his use of programmatic elements in his music, such as in his Pictures at an Exhibition, which depicts a walk through an art exhibition.
Ravel
Maurice Ravel was a French composer who was known for his use of programmatic elements in his music, such as in his Boléro, which depicts a Spanish dance through music.
Dukas
Paul Dukas was a French composer who was known for his use of programmatic elements in his music, such as in his tone poem The Sorcerer’s Apprentice, which tells the story of a sorcerer’s apprentice who uses magic to do his chores.
Britten
Benjamin Britten was an English composer who was known for his use of programmatic elements in his music, such as in his War Requiem, which combines the Latin Mass for the Dead with poems by Wilfred Owen about the horrors of World War I.
Copland
Aaron Copland was an American composer who was known for his use of programmatic elements in his music, such as in his ballets, which tell a story through music. One of his most famous works is Appalachian Spring, which tells the story of a pioneer wedding in the Appalachian Mountains.
Bach
Johann Sebastian Bach was a German composer who was known for his use of programmatic elements in his music, such as in his St. Matthew Passion, which tells the story of the crucifixion of Jesus Christ through music.
Notable Works
Symphonie Fantastique
Symphonie Fantastique is a program symphony composed by Hector Berlioz in 1830. It is a five-movement work that tells the story of an artist’s self-destructive passion for a woman. The music is highly descriptive and includes a recurring theme that represents the object of the artist’s obsession.
Don Quixote
Don Quixote is a tone poem composed by Richard Strauss in 1897. It is based on the novel by Miguel de Cervantes and tells the story of the title character’s adventures. The music is highly programmatic and includes a variety of themes that represent different characters and events in the story.
Carnival of The Animals
Carnival of The Animals is a suite of fourteen movements composed by Camille Saint-Saëns in 1886. Each movement represents a different animal, from lions and elephants to kangaroos and swans. The music is playful and humorous, and it has become one of Saint-Saëns’ most popular works.
The Four Seasons
The Four Seasons is a set of four violin concertos composed by Antonio Vivaldi in 1723. Each concerto represents a different season of the year, and the music is highly descriptive, with each movement evoking the sounds and sights of nature during that season.
Les Adieux
Les Adieux is a piano sonata composed by Ludwig van Beethoven in 1809. The work is highly programmatic and tells the story of Beethoven’s departure from Vienna in 1809. The music includes a variety of themes that represent different aspects of the story, from the sadness of parting to the joy of reunion.
Pictures at An Exhibition
Pictures at An Exhibition is a suite of ten movements composed by Modest Mussorgsky in 1874. The music is highly descriptive and was inspired by an exhibition of paintings by Mussorgsky’s friend Viktor Hartmann. Each movement represents a different painting, and the music evokes the mood and atmosphere of each work of art.
Danse Macabre
Danse Macabre is a tone poem composed by Camille Saint-Saëns in 1874. The music is highly programmatic and depicts the dance of death, with skeletons and other supernatural beings dancing to the music. The piece is known for its eerie and haunting melodies.
The Sorcerer’s Apprentice
The Sorcerer’s Apprentice is a tone poem composed by Paul Dukas in 1897. The music is based on a poem by Goethe and tells the story of a sorcerer’s apprentice who tries to use magic to do his chores. The music is highly descriptive and includes a variety of themes that represent different aspects of the story.
Symphony No. 6
Symphony No. 6 is a program symphony composed by Gustav Mahler in 1906. The music is highly descriptive and includes a variety of themes that represent different aspects of nature, from birdsong and flowing water to thunderstorms and the wind. The symphony is known for its lush and expansive sound.
Symphony No. 8
Symphony No. 8 is a program symphony composed by Anton Bruckner in 1887. The music is highly descriptive and includes a variety of themes that represent different aspects of the divine, from the glory of God to the joy of the angels. The symphony is known for its grandeur and majesty.
