Incidental music

Incidental music is a specialized type of musical composition. It is used within plays, television programs, radio shows, and video games. This music is not the primary focus of the presentation. Instead, it serves to support the existing action. It often functions as background music to build a specific atmosphere. A composer might use a low, ominous tone to suggest a startling event. Other pieces might enhance a sequence that advances the story. Some productions even feature musicians performing live on the stage.

There are several distinct types of incidental music used in performances. An overture is music played at the very beginning of a play or film. It can be a complete musical work or a simple tune. Some overtures include musical themes that reappear later in the show. A theme song represents the entire performance. It is often played at the start or the end. In films, these songs frequently play during the credit rolls. A special version called a love theme accompanies romantic scenes between protagonists.

Other techniques involve how the music interacts with the scene. An underscore is a soft soundtrack theme. It accompanies the action so that spectators are only indirectly aware of it. This helps to set or indicate the mood of a scene. A stinger is a very brief moment of music. It often accompanies a scene transition to mark a change in location or time. For example, the television series Friends used stingers to mark scene changes.

In some media, music is designed for continuous use. Loops are short sequences of recorded music. They are designed to be repeated indefinitely and seamlessly. This is very useful for accompanying visuals in documentary or trade films. This method ensures the background music remains steady without obvious breaks. These tools allow creators to control the pacing and emotional weight of a production.

The history of this art form is quite long. The use of incidental music dates back to ancient Greek drama. The term itself comes from the German word *Inzidenzmusik*. The *Methuen Drama Dictionary of the Theatre* defines this as music written specifically for a play. However, it does not form an integral part of the work. This distinguishes it from musical theater. In a Broadway musical, songs reveal character and move the plot forward. In incidental music, the music remains mostly in the background.

Many famous classical composers have contributed to this genre. Henry Purcell wrote music for *Abdelazer*. George Frideric Handel wrote for *The Alchemist*. Joseph Haydn composed for *Il distratto*. Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart wrote *Thamos, King of Egypt*. Ludwig van Beethoven wrote *Egmont* music. Other notable examples include Franz Schubert's *Rosamunde* and Felix Mendelssohn's *A Midsummer Night's Dream*. Edvard Grieg wrote the famous *Peer Gynt* music. Many of these pieces are now performed in concerts outside of their original plays.

Incidental music also appears in many other settings. It is found in religious ceremonies when officiants walk from place to place. This is different from hymns, which are the focus of worship. It is also used extensively in comedy shows. In these cases, it provides mild entertainment during dull transitions. Musicians like Paul Schaffer, Max Weinberg, and Jon Batiste work in this style. Modern composers like Pierre Boulez and Iannis Xenakis also work within this field.