Dictionary.com
Thesaurus.com

programme music

British  

noun

  1. music that is intended to depict or evoke a scene or idea Compare absolute music

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Before taking up the works themselves, let us consider the form of which it is the soul, the principle of programme music.

From Project Gutenberg

They also offer an opportunity of discussing a question over which there has been much controversy—viz., the position occupied by so-called "programme music" in contradistinction to "absolute music."

From Project Gutenberg

They are highly descriptive, but one may well question whether the string quartet is the proper vehicle for such programme music.

From Project Gutenberg

But Liszt would habitually programme music by other composers in his concerts.

From The Guardian

Music, too, in some of its manifestations, as in song, the opera, and programme music, has a representative and illustrative character.

From Project Gutenberg