What is defined as instrumental music associated with a story, poem, idea, or scene?

The term that refers to instrumental music associated with a story, poem, idea, or scene is program music. This genre of music is specifically composed to evoke a narrative or descriptive element, often drawing inspiration from literature, art, or nature. Composers use various musical techniques—such as motifs, themes, and orchestral colors—to represent different aspects of the story or imagery being depicted.

Program music contrasts with absolute music, which is created purely for the sake of musical form and structure without any intended narrative or extramusical references. While symphonic poems and character pieces also serve expressive purposes, they are specific forms or styles of program music. For instance, a symphonic poem typically takes the form of a single orchestral work that narrates a story, while character pieces are often shorter works that depict a particular mood or character but may not always relate to a narrative in the same comprehensive manner as program music as a whole.