What does the term 'absolute music' refer to?

Prepare for the Graduate Music History Placement Exam with flashcards and multiple choice questions. Each question comes with hints and detailed explanations. Ace your exam!

The term "absolute music" refers to music that is composed purely for its own sake, without any explicit narrative or text to convey a story or a particular meaning. This type of music emphasizes the structure, form, and the intrinsic qualities of sound itself, rather than focusing on extramusical themes or ideas.

Composers of absolute music, such as Johannes Brahms and Anton Bruckner, created works that stand on their own merit, allowing listeners to experience the music purely for its melodic, harmonic, and rhythmic aspects. This notion contrasts with "program music," which is intended to evoke a specific story or imagery through its composition.

Identifying absolute music as "music for music's sake" highlights the idea that the aesthetic experience of listening to the music is paramount, rather than any associated narrative or performance context that may distract from this experience.

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