Absolute music is defined as music that:

Absolute music is defined as music that is purely instrumental and does not aim to represent or evoke any specific narrative or scene, which distinguishes it from program music that is designed to convey a particular story or image. This type of music relies solely on its musical form and structure without the constraints of outside references or descriptions.

In contrast, music with a descriptive title implies a programmatic intention, directly connecting the music to a specific idea or theme. Expressing a specific narrative or scene clearly aligns with the characteristics of program music, which is intended to illustrate or depict a particular story, setting, or emotion. Including vocal components generally suggests a lyrical or narrative focus, which also detracts from the definition of absolute music, as it introduces words that can imply meaning beyond just musical themes. Therefore, the essence of absolute music lies in its independence from any extramusical narrative and its focus on the instrumental composition itself.