symphonic poem
Tone-painting for orchestra
A symphonic poem is an orchestral composition in one continuous movement that evokes a narrative, scene, or idea—typically drawn from literature, art, history, or nature.
Unlike symphonies with their formal multi-movement structure, symphonic poems follow the shape of their subject matter: Strauss's "Don Quixote" follows the knight's adventures.
Also called tone poem.
Hungarian Romantic-era pianist-composer
- StraussGerman-Austrian composer family
- DvořákCzech Romantic composer
- leitmotifRecurring thematic phrase
- descriptivePortraying with specific details
Large instrumental ensemble
- conductorOne who directs musicians
- scoreNumerical standing in competition
- full orchestraComplete instrumental performing group
- stringsThin flexible lines
woodwinds · brass · percussion · timpani · ensemble · maestro · instrumentation · orchestration
Music composed for cinema
- soundtrackMusic accompanying visual media
- epicImpressively grand in scope
- sweepingExtensive and far-reaching
- dramaticStrikingly expressive or sudden
Gaseous layer around planets
- moodPrevailing emotional condition
- imageryVivid descriptive language
- impressionisticConveying general mood, not specifics
- emotiveArousing strong feelings
ethereal · resonance · symbolism · transcendental · sensory · vividness · dreamlike · suggestive
Liszt
Hungarian Romantic-era pianist-composer
orchestra
Large instrumental ensemble
- conductorOne who directs musicians
- scoreNumerical standing in competition
- full orchestraComplete instrumental performing group
strings · woodwinds · brass · percussion · timpani · ensemble · maestro · instrumentation · orchestration · tutti
film score
Music composed for cinema
- soundtrackMusic accompanying visual media
- epicImpressively grand in scope
- sweepingExtensive and far-reaching
dramatic · John Williams · underscore · leitmotif · emotional arc
atmosphere
Gaseous layer around planets
- moodPrevailing emotional condition
- imageryVivid descriptive language
- impressionisticConveying general mood, not specifics
emotive · ethereal · resonance · symbolism · transcendental · sensory · vividness · dreamlike · suggestive · picturesque
symphonic poemsymphony
Extended composition for orchestra
string quartet · fugue · sonata · concerto · etude
poem, poetry, poetic, poems, symphony, symphonic, symphonies, poetics, symphonious