Some characteristics of Daniels’s work

Chapter 6, “Some characteristics of Daniels’s work,” presents an overview of the composer’s work chronologically and stylistically. The chapter argues that the musical-poetic theme of sleep and dreams, which Mabel Daniels introduces by the choice of texts for her compositions, provides a context to view her work. The theme also serves as a vehicle for examining stylistic change in Daniels’s work over time and for demonstrating her transition to the modern age. At first glance, Daniels’s music appears to be stylistically conservative, but a closer look reveals that she edged forward to a modern sound as she responded musically to more psychological texts. This chapter presents an overview of the composer's work chronologically and stylistically. It argues that the musical-poetic theme of sleep and dreams, which Mabel Daniels introduces by the choice of texts for her compositions, provides a context to view her work. The theme also serves as a vehicle for examining stylistic change in Daniels's work over time and for demonstrating her transition to the modern age. At first glance, Daniels's music appears to be stylistically conservative, but a closer look reveals that she edged forward to a modern sound as she responded musically to more psychological texts. Daniels expresses her determination both to remain current as a composer and to establish a legacy as a composer of American art music. She accomplished these goals by selecting from among the available musical styles and practices those that she regarded as useful. Daniels was instinctively cautious about trying new compositional approaches simply to appear "modern".