What characterizes programmatic music?

Programmatic music is characterized by its intention to evoke specific stories, images, or emotions. This genre of music goes beyond mere musical form and structure to convey a narrative or depict particular scenes, often drawing inspiration from literature, poetry, or visual art. Composers use various musical elements, such as melody, harmony, dynamics, and orchestration, to illustrate these themes and emotions, allowing listeners to create mental pictures or connect with a story.

For instance, pieces like Berlioz's "Symphonie Fantastique" or Smetana's "Má vlast" are exemplary works of programmatic music, as they depict vivid imagery or unfold dramatic narratives through their compositions. This direct connection between the music and a specific programmatic idea sets it apart from other musical forms that may focus strictly on abstract musical ideas or technical execution without any associated narrative.

This characteristic distinguishes programmatic music from purely instrumental works that may not have an underlying theme or story, as well as from music that emphasizes complex rhythms or is intended solely for concert performance, which does not inherently involve drawing on external narratives.