symphonic poem: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C2Formal, technical (musicology)
Quick answer
What does “symphonic poem” mean?
A piece of orchestral music, usually in one movement, that illustrates or evokes a story, poem, painting, or landscape.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A piece of orchestral music, usually in one movement, that illustrates or evokes a story, poem, painting, or landscape.
A musical composition that follows a narrative or descriptive program, blending symphonic structure with poetic or pictorial content, often through thematic transformation.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant lexical differences. The term is used identically in both varieties.
Connotations
Carries the same artistic and technical connotations in both cultures.
Frequency
Equally low-frequency in both varieties, confined to musical discourse.
Grammar
How to Use “symphonic poem” in a Sentence
[composer] composed a symphonic poem based on [source]The orchestra performed [composer]'s symphonic poem [title]Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “symphonic poem” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The composer sought to symphonicise the epic poem.
- The piece symphonicises the landscape.
American English
- The composer sought to symphonicize the epic poem.
- The piece symphonicizes the landscape.
adverb
British English
- The music unfolded symphonic-poem-like.
- He composed symphonic-poem-style.
American English
- The music unfolded symphonic-poem-like.
- He composed symphonic-poem-style.
adjective
British English
- The work has a symphonic-poem quality.
- His symphonic-poem approach was innovative.
American English
- The work has a symphonic-poem quality.
- His symphonic-poem approach was innovative.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Not used.
Academic
Used in music history, theory, and criticism to discuss 19th-century program music.
Everyday
Rarely used outside of conversations about classical music.
Technical
Core term in musicology for a specific genre of orchestral program music.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “symphonic poem”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “symphonic poem”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “symphonic poem”
- Using 'symphonic poem' to refer to any long, emotional piece of music (overgeneralisation).
- Confusing it with a 'symphony', which is a multi-movement abstract form.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
A symphony is traditionally a multi-movement abstract work, while a symphonic poem is usually a one-movement work that tells a story or describes something.
Franz Liszt is generally credited with establishing and naming the genre in the mid-19th century.
Yes, 'tone poem' is a direct synonym and is often used interchangeably, though 'symphonic poem' is the more formal, original term.
Typically, it is purely instrumental. Works with vocals that follow a program are usually called 'symphonic cantatas' or similar.
A piece of orchestral music, usually in one movement, that illustrates or evokes a story, poem, painting, or landscape.
Symphonic poem is usually formal, technical (musicology) in register.
Symphonic poem: in British English it is pronounced /sɪmˌfɒn.ɪk ˈpəʊ.əm/, and in American English it is pronounced /sɪmˌfɑː.nɪk ˈpoʊ.əm/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “None directly associated with the term.”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a SYMPHONY telling a POEMatic story with instruments instead of words.
Conceptual Metaphor
MUSIC IS A NARRATIVE / ORCHESTRA IS A STORYTELLER
Practice
Quiz
What is the primary characteristic of a symphonic poem?