In thetheory ofmusical form,through-composed music is a continuous, non-sectional, and non-repetitive piece of music. The term is typically used to describe songs, but can also apply to instrumental music.[1]
While most musical forms such asternary form (ABA),rondo form (ABACABA), andsonata form (ABA') rely on repetition, through-composed music does not re-use material (ABCD). This constant introduction of new material is most noticeable in musical settings of poems, in contrast to the often usedstrophic form (AAA). Through-composedsongs have different music for eachstanza of thelyrics. TheGerman worddurchkomponiert is also used to indicate this concept.[2]
MusicologistJames Webster defines through-composed music in the following manner:
In general usage, a 'through-composed' work is one based on run-on movements without internal repetitions. (The distinction is especially characteristic of the literature of the art-song, where such works are contrasted with strophic settings.)[3]
Many examples of this form can be found inSchubert'slieder, in which the words of a poem are set to music, and each line is different. In his lied "Erlkönig", in which the setting proceeds to a different musical arrangement for each new stanza and whenever the piece comes to each character, the character portrays its own voice register and tonality. Another example within instrumental music isHaydn's 'Farewell Symphony'.[3]
The term "through-composed" is also applied toopera andmusical theater to indicate a work that consists of an uninterrupted stream of music from beginning to end, as in the operas ofWagner. This stands in contrast to the practice, as for example occurs in Mozart'sItalian- andGerman-language operas, of having a collection of songs interrupted byrecitative or spokendialogue.[4] Examples of the modern trend towards through-composed works in musical theater include the works ofAndrew Lloyd Webber andClaude-Michel Schönberg. In musical theater, works with clear delineations between songs yet no spoken dialogue – such asLes Misérables orHamilton – are usually instead referred to by the term "through-sung".
While through-composed form is very uncommon in popular music, several notable examples do exist: