Programme music

Although descriptive music had always existed, orchestral programme music became very popular during the Romantic period (roughly the 19th century) when music developed close links with literature and painting.

Hector Berlioz

Sometimes the programme was suggested by the title alone eg the Scottish and Italian symphonies by Mendelssohn where the title provides the source of inspiration rather than a story-line. At other times composers set out the programme in great detail, eg the Symphonie Fantastique by Berlioz.

Musical devices used to express the story or inspiration include:

• musical motifs (or motives) - short melodic or rhythmic ideas used to represent characters or images
• transformation of themes where a basic theme undergoes changes to mirror a situation
• orchestral colour - use of instruments to represent characters or images
• direct imitation of sounds eg birdsong or thunder
• harmony, dynamics, tempo and key