symphonic poem
noun
: an extended programmatic composition for symphony orchestra usually freer in form than a symphony
Examples of symphonic poem in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
The orchestral work includes seven symphonic poems representing the sun, moon, Earth and planets, and is paired with NASA’s data and imagery.
—
Chris Richards, Washington Post, 19 Oct. 2023
The ever-cresting enthusiasm for Liszt’s piano music has yet to incite a parallel vogue for the symphonic poems.
—Alex Ross, The New Yorker, 4 Sep. 2023
Perhaps the most notable version of the Paolo and Francesca story is Tchaikovsky’s 1876 symphonic poem Francesca da Rimini, in which the composer uses the tragedy of the lovers to reflect on the tragedy of his own life.
—John-Paul Heil, Smithsonian Magazine, 3 Nov. 2021
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.
—Washington Post, 21 Aug. 2021
Under Slobodeniouk, music director of Spain’s Orquestra Sinfonica de Galicia, the symphonic poem from 1909 readily conjured the image that inspired it.
—Zachary Lewis, cleveland, 25 Oct. 2019
Inspired by a poem by Stephane Mallarme, Debussy’s ‘Prelude to the Afternoon of a Faun’ is a 1894 symphonic poem.
—Mike Giuliano, Howard County Times, 18 May 2018
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Chris Richards, Washington Post, 19 Oct. 2023
The ever-cresting enthusiasm for Liszt’s piano music has yet to incite a parallel vogue for the symphonic poems.
—Alex Ross, The New Yorker, 4 Sep. 2023
Perhaps the most notable version of the Paolo and Francesca story is Tchaikovsky’s 1876 symphonic poem Francesca da Rimini, in which the composer uses the tragedy of the lovers to reflect on the tragedy of his own life.
—John-Paul Heil, Smithsonian Magazine, 3 Nov. 2021
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.
—Washington Post, 21 Aug. 2021
Under Slobodeniouk, music director of Spain’s Orquestra Sinfonica de Galicia, the symphonic poem from 1909 readily conjured the image that inspired it.
—Zachary Lewis, cleveland, 25 Oct. 2019
Inspired by a poem by Stephane Mallarme, Debussy’s ‘Prelude to the Afternoon of a Faun’ is a 1894 symphonic poem.
—Mike Giuliano, Howard County Times, 18 May 2018
Cite this Entry
“Symphonic poem.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/symphonic%20poem. Accessed 27 Mar. 2025.
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