tone painting

American  

noun

1. musical description, by harmonic, melodic, or rhythmic means, of the words of a text or the story elements in program music.

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Etymology

Origin of tone painting

First recorded in 1900–05

Example Sentences

And the “Pastoral,” which is easy to read as folk-inspired tone painting, was here more subtly evocative than straightforwardly illustrative.

From New York Times • Feb. 26, 2020

These splendid studies in tone painting were all superbly performed by the Trinity Choir, obviously well prepared by Mr. Wachner, a composer and choral director of considerable experience.

From New York Times • Oct. 17, 2010

Instead of piling on the venom with the song, Swift's "Innocent" takes a conciliatory tone, painting him as "32, and still growing up now."

From Reuters • Oct. 15, 2010

Such tone painting is not surprising, for Harbison's music generally contains a strong theatrical element, reflected in his predilection for opera and song cycle.

From Time Magazine Archive

Many of them possess that Nature tone painting, that mystic, subtle romanticism of whispering tree-tops and elfin glades, that freshness and open air spirit which distinguish MacDowell's later short pieces.

From Edward MacDowell by Porte, John F.