The symphonic poem, a musical composition of one movement of indeterminate length, disregards classical principles of form and employs a literary inspiration to inform the work; this ôextra-musical programme provides a narrative or illustrative elementö (Symphonic Poem û Wikipedia). Hungarian composer Franz Liszt (1811-1886) is credited as the creator of the symphonic poem, and was the first composer to use the musical term that he attributed to 13 of his programmatic works composed in the 1840s and 1850s. This paper will discuss the development of the symphonic poem, the historical and cultural context, LisztÆs formal and aesthetic concepts, and his influence on programme music of later composers.
The life of Liszt coincides with the Romantic period, and in some ways he may be said to bridge the gap between the Classical Period and the Modern Period in music (Searle 122). LisztÆs creation of the symphonic poem was a development of his attraction to the Romantic Movement and rejection of strict classical form. Romantic music centers on lyrical melody, with long sections and even entire movements continuing in one unbroken rhythmic pattern. Romantic music is also more individualistic than classical music, an important attribute in the Romantic period of the arts. The Romantic Movement in the arts, both music and literature, lasted from about the end of the 18th Century to the last quarter of the 19th Century, and is regarded as a revolt from tradition, and an interest in expansion and refinement of ideas, and most notably an expression of feelings; romantic forms are usually directed by a series of emotions expressed in the music rather than formal regard. Program music was an important element in the Romantic period. Non-musical ideas, such as a myth, poem or literary plot are expressed in the musical compositions of the Romantics. The composer is not attempting to present a myth or story literally or precisely. The expansion...