What distinguishes programmatic music from other types of music?

Programmatic music is characterized by its explicit intention to convey a specific narrative or evoke a particular scene, emotion, or idea through musical means. This type of music often draws upon literature, visual art, or a narrative framework and aims to create an imagery or tell a story that listeners can relate to or visualize in their mind. Composers of programmatic music often provide accompanying titles, texts, or descriptions that further guide the listener's understanding of the intended scene, such as in works like Vivaldi's "The Four Seasons" or Smetana's "Má vlast."

The other options do not capture the essential quality of programmatic music. While improvisation can be an aspect of various music forms, it is not a defining characteristic of programmatic music. Similarly, the absence of a specific narrative or scene is contrary to the very definition of programmatic music, which thrives on storytelling. Lastly, programmatic music is not limited to orchestral settings; it can also be composed for smaller ensembles or even solo instruments, allowing for a broad range of performance contexts.