symphonic poem

noun

Music.

1. a form of tone poem, scored for a symphony orchestra, in which a literary or pictorial “plot” is treated with considerable program detail: originated by Franz Liszt in the mid-19th century and developed especially by Richard Strauss.

symphonic poem

noun

1. Also called: tone poem. music an extended orchestral composition, originated by Liszt, based on nonmusical material, such as a work of literature or folk tale

Word History and Origins

Origin of symphonic poem¹

First recorded in 1860–65

Example Sentences

John’s wistful, symphonic poem suddenly took on a new shade.

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Richard Strauss’ early symphonic poem “Death and Transfiguration” followed.

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This collaboration led to “Gaia,” a spellbinding symphonic poem featuring Spalding’s vocals and libretto, premiered by the Los Angeles Philharmonic in 2013.

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Classical music has even been composed to celebrate the pines, with the most famous being the symphonic poem for orchestra that Ottorino Respighi completed in 1924.

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If you take the time to really look at Liszt’s writing and his accomplishments, he practically gave us the symphonic poem.

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