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

Word History and Origins

Origin of symphonic poem¹

First recorded in 1860–65

Example Sentences

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

From Los Angeles Times

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

From Washington Post

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.

From Washington Post

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

From New York Times

With toy instruments, sleigh bells, cracking whips and a stirring instrumental setting of the hymn “Adeste Fideles,” “Santa Claus” was an innovative, seamless single-movement narrative, in the vein of Franz Liszt’s symphonic poems.

From New York Times