Yeah, it's tricky and there isn't a bright line, which is why I understand you not allowing it, but there is a segment of instrumental, classical music with clear storylines or senses of place that I think would work well with a challenge like this. Strauss's tone poems are a good example. People might quibble a little bit about the exact details of the plot of Till Eulenspiegel, but they wouldn't quarrel with its overall shape. Similarly Schoenberg's "Verklarte Nacht", which I have come close to requesting for Yuletide several times.