The Argument Between Absolute Music And Program Music

The arguments between absolute music and program music have lasted for a long time. Although many people try to state their position in these two types of music, there is no certain answer for both types of music. In general, Absolute music can be defined as music for music’s sake and there is no narrative. Program music can be defined as music has a narrative with an attached program. Both kinds of music have their unique characterizes. Some theorists argue that there is no “absolute” music truly exist because music always conveys musical ideas and emotions. In my opinions, I believe that absolute music can truly exist without containing any meaning program music is only narrative because of its title. If program music has no title and people …show more content…
The reason is it uses instrumental music not to represent something else. Classical music composers follow the rules of composition and establish their structure of work. Most composers are good at composing and show their talent in music. Sometimes, they don’t have too many emotions into their music. They just want music becomes their ways of success. Their music usually comes from inspiration, but that inspiration comes from a moment. Sometimes it is no reason. This makes absolute music truly exists and it doesn’t have any meanings in itself. That is the musical characters of that era. Composers only focus on melody, harmony, rhythm, texture, dynamic, genres, forms, and tone colors. They don’t impose emotions on it, and absolute music can be said as no meaning. Although the absolute music has no contained meaning in itself, it doesn’t stand for absolute music has no distinguishing feature. Usually, absolute music indeed has some features. For example, the piece I have used in the last paragraph. Beethoven’s 5th Symphony, Op.67 is a famous piece in C minor. Beethoven most focuses on the musical skills used in this piece. He uses 4 movements change to present the intensity of melody. This piece has extreme contrasts which are dark to light and then high to low. Beethoven basically shows his talent in composing this music. He puts his technical skills in classical style and binds symphony into the unified whole. The use of …show more content…
If program music has no title and it could not narrative. However, Absolute music typically is identified not by a descriptive title. While it is defined by the name of a musical form, such as symphony, invention, sonata, quartet, concerto, toccata, or fugue. The development of program music is based on absolute music. When people try to add the title to the piece, it gives listener ideas and direction. For example, the program music, Symphonie fantastique,v by Hector Berlioz, it has a title called Dream of the Witches ' Sabbath. This piece is based on 4 melodic ideas, the decent to hell, the idee fixe, dies irae, and the withes’ dance. Listeners will impose their ideas and emotions to the music based on the title and theme. They will follow the title and gives an idea and emotions of that piece. The first melodic idea, the hell uses lots of winds and leaves the screaming sounds to people. It makes listeners feel scary. This is program music’s feature, intended to evoke images or convey the impression of events. If no title, they have no direction and guideline. If the piece doesn’t narrative anything, their ideas might be far away from composers’ intent. The program music, it is the only narrative based on its title. Listeners couldn’t get any melodic ideas from no title music. If they truly have ideas, it is nonmusical ideas. It cannot be said as musical ideas because they simply