absolute music

English - English

Definition of absolute music in English English dictionary: Instrumental music based upon abstract principles of music theory and form; Music without associations outside of itself, in contrast to program music; Music without associations outside of itself, in contrast to program music e g , Bach's fugues; Music written for its own sake, with no direct reference to anything outside itself It has no words and does not depict a story; Music that is not dependent on a program or dramatic text; pure music (opposite of program music ); Music that makes no intentional reference to a non-musical source, such as a literary work, visual image, historical event, etc The term was coined in the Romantic Period to make a distinction between "pure" music and program music (music that tells a story) The distinction is often hazy, however For example, though Beethoven's Fifth Symphony has no overt program, Beethoven himself described the opening measures as describing "fate knocking at the door "; Instrumental music that is free of any explicit verbal reference or program; instrumental music based on abstract principles of music theory and form; Music without extramusical associations, as opposed to program music; Music that is free of any explict connection with words beyond the simple indications of tempo and genre The opposite of program music