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

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'symphonic poem.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1873, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of symphonic poem was in 1873

Dictionary Entries Near symphonic poem

Cite this Entry

“Symphonic poem.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/symphonic%20poem. Accessed 29 Mar. 2024.

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