A pastoral is a work in the genre of literature, art, and music known as the pastoral genre, that depicts the simple life of a shepherd in an idealised manner. Pastoral may also refer to: Animal husbandry Pastoral farming, the branch of agriculture concerned with the raising of livestock Pastoralism, a form of animal husbandry where livestock are released onto large vegetated outdoor lands (pastures) for grazing, historically by nomadic people Arts and entertainment Pastoral: To Die in the Country, a 1974 Japanese film Pastoral (theatre of Soule), a traditional kind of play from the Basque Country Pastoral (Shute novel), by Nevil Shute Pastoral (Alexis novel), by André Alexis Pastoral (album), by Gazelle Twin, 2018 Pastoral, Beethoven's 6th Symphony Pastoral, Beethoven's Piano Sonata No. 15 "Pastoral", a song by The Jesus Lizard from the 1990 album Head Pastoral, a 2000 poetry collection by Carl Phillips English Pastoral School, a group of English composers of classical music working during the early to mid 20th century Other uses Pastoral letter, or pastoral, an open letter by a bishop to the clergy or laity of a diocese See also Pastorale (disambiguation) Pastoral Symphony (disambiguation) Pastor, an ordained leader of a Christian congregation Pastoral care, an ancient model of emotional and spiritual support Pastourelle, a typically Old French lyric form