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  What is program music?   

“Program music, instrumental music that carries some extramusical meaning, some ‘program’ of literary idea, legend, scenic description, or personal drama. It is contrasted with so-called absolute, or abstract, music, in which artistic interest is supposedly confined to abstract constructions in sound. It has been stated that the concept of program music does not represent a genre in itself but rather is present in varying degrees in different works of music.”

 

from Encyclopedia Britannica

Existence of program music

 

Although descriptive music had always existed, orchestral program music became very popular during the Romantic period (roughly the 19th century) when music developed close links with literature and painting.

Sometimes the program was suggested by the title alone where the title provides the source of inspiration rather than a story-line. At other times composers set out the program in great details.

Musical devices used to express the story or inspiration

  • Musical motifs (or motives) - short melodic or rhythmic ideas used to represent characters or images

  • Mransformation of themes where a basic theme undergoes changes to mirror a situation

  • Orchestral colour - use of instruments to represent characters or images

  • Direct imitation of sounds eg birdsong or thunder

  • Harmony, dynamics, tempo and key

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