Which of the following could be an example of absolute music

An opera
A film score
A tone poem
A concerto

1 answer

Absolute music refers to music that is not explicitly about anything; it is purely instrumental and does not attempt to convey a narrative or represent external ideas. Among the options you provided:

  • An opera: This is not an example of absolute music, as it combines music with a story and often includes lyrics.
  • A film score: This is also not absolute music since it is specifically designed to accompany and enhance the narrative of a film.
  • A tone poem: While a tone poem can be descriptive and convey a particular theme or idea, it often paints a picture or tells a story, so it's not strictly absolute music.
  • A concerto: This is the closest to absolute music, as it is typically an instrumental work that showcases a soloist with an orchestra without an explicit narrative.

Thus, the best example of absolute music among your choices is a concerto.