Daphnis and Chloé, Suite No. 2: "Lever du jour"
Listening Guide
Performed by the Royal Opera
Composer: Maurice Ravel
Composition: Daphnis and Chloé, Suite No. 2: "Lever du jour"
Date: 1913
Genre: Orchestral Suite
Form: Through-composed
Performing Forces: orchestra/chorus
What we want you to remember about this composition:
Timing
Performing Forces, Melody, and Texture
Murmuring figures depicting a brook.
Woodwinds, strings and harps, with more instruments entering periodically.
Languid and flowing.
Tonal, with ambiguous key centers and lush harmony typical of much Impressionistic music.
Sweeping melody reaches first climax, and then dies down slowly.
Strings over murmuring accompaniment.
Strings and clarinet enter with song-like melody.
Melody over murmuring strings.
Flute enters with dance-like melody.
Melody over murmuring strings.
Clarinet states a contrasting melody.
Melody over murmuring strings.
Chorus enters while strings continue melody.
Melody over murmuring strings and "Ah" of chorus.
Melody rises to a climax and then slowly diminishes.
Full Orchestra and Chorus.
Sweeping melody enters in strings to a new climactic moment.
Full Orchestra.
Motif starts in low strings and then rises through the orchestra.
Full Orchestra.
Chorus enters for a final climactic moment, then slowly dies away.
Full Orchestra and Chorus.
Oboe enters with repeating melody.
Clarinet takes over repeating melody and the piece slows to a stop.
As the piece comes to an end, the texture becomes more Spartan with fewer instruments.