Symphony No. 2, Le Double
Henri Dutilleux
Work background
Researched classical background
Dutilleux placed a group of twelve soloists in front of a larger orchestra for Le Double. The two bodies interact across the three movements, creating changes of perspective as material passes between them. The title refers to this doubled orchestral relationship. It invites attention to placement, colour and response rather than to a single solo protagonist.
Inspiration and creative background
The title and scoring explicitly establish a dialogue between a small instrumental group and its larger orchestral counterpart.
Atlanta Symphony Orchestra: Henri Dutilleux
Le Double uses spatially separated small and large instrumental groups with a mirroring relationship | Reviewed 2026-10-19
A listening guide
Listen for exchanges between the twelve-player group and the larger orchestra.
Listening suggestions are editorial guides to the music.
Forces: Large orchestra with a separate group of twelve soloists
Composition: 1955-1959
Archival research dates the genesis 1955-59; completed in 1959.
This entry describes the musical work or cycle. Composition, premiere and publication dates describe different events. Performers and recordings can be explored through the external listening search.
Also known as: Le Double
IRCAM: Dutilleux Le Double
1959 completed work and orchestral scoring | Reviewed 2026-10-19
Paul Sacher Foundation: Christian Morris on Dutilleux Le Double
Archival research identifies 1955-59 genesis and compositional process | Reviewed 2026-10-19
Atlanta Symphony Orchestra: Henri Dutilleux
Le Double uses spatially separated small and large instrumental groups with a mirroring relationship | Reviewed 2026-10-19
Sources for this work
IRCAM: Dutilleux Le Double
1959 completed work and orchestral scoring | Reviewed 2026-10-19
Paul Sacher Foundation: Christian Morris on Dutilleux Le Double
Archival research identifies 1955-59 genesis and compositional process | Reviewed 2026-10-19
Atlanta Symphony Orchestra: Henri Dutilleux
Le Double uses spatially separated small and large instrumental groups with a mirroring relationship | Reviewed 2026-10-19
Browse by year
1960-2025. Each year contains 150 selections.