Witold Lutoslawski
Les Espaces du sommeil
Les Espaces du sommeil is a musical composition by Polish composer Witold Lutosławski for baritone and orchestra, which takes its name from the poem it sets by French Surrealist Robert Desnos. It is
Structure#
Les Espaces du sommeil lasts 15 minutes and is composed in one movement but with a three-section scheme: #Dans la nuit il y a naturellement les sept merveilles #Il y a toi l’immolée, toi que j’attends #Il y a toi sans doute que je ne connais pas
Instrumentation#
The work is scored for solo baritone and an orchestra consisting of 3 flutes (2 & 3 doubling piccolo), 3 oboes, 3 clarinets in B (3 doubling bass clarinet in B), 3 bassoons, 3 trumpets in C, 4 horns in F, 3 trombones, tuba, percussion, timpani, harp, piano (doubling celesta), and strings.
Reception#
Les Espaces du sommeil has been praised by music critics. Andrew Clements of The Guardian stated that “the orchestral forces of Les Espaces du sommeil, dedicated to the baritone Dietrich Fischer-Dieskau, are substantial and refined.” George Hall of BBC Music Magazine mentioned “the atmospheric (…) setting of Robert Desnos exploring the borderland between waking and dreaming.”
See also#
*List of compositions by Witold Lutosławski
- Composer
- Witold Lutoslawski