Which composition is classified as a Program Symphony?

A Program Symphony is a type of symphonic work that tells a story or depicts a scene through the music. This form is distinguished by its intention to convey a non-musical narrative, often accompanied by a written program or description.

Berlioz's "Symphonie fantastique" fits this description perfectly. It is a five-movement symphony that narrates a semi-autobiographical story about an artist's unrequited love, marked by vivid imagery and dramatic orchestration. Each movement is designed to illustrate specific scenes and emotions, making it a quintessential example of a Program Symphony.

In contrast, while Tchaikovsky's "1812 Overture" does evoke a historical event and includes a narrative element, it is more of a concert overture than a full program symphony. Tchaikovsky's "Romeo and Juliet" is a tone poem, which incorporates thematic development around a specific story but is not structured as a symphony. "Sleeping Beauty" is a ballet score, which adheres to the conventions of dance music rather than the symphonic form typically associated with programmatic narratives.

Thus, "Symphonie fantastique" stands out as the definitive example of a Program Symphony due to its explicit storytelling