L'Arbre des songes (The Tree of Dreams) is a violin concerto written by Henri Dutilleux between 1983 and 1985. It is dedicated to Isaac Stern. This concerto is the result of the composer's efforts in unifying large-scale works. The process of unification appears on two interrelated levels: form and thematic development.
According to the composer, it is based on a process of continual growth and renewal (hence the title): "All in all the piece grows somewhat like a tree, for the constant multiplication and renewal of its branches is the lyrical essence of the tree. This symbolic image, as well as the notion of a seasonal cycle, inspired my choice of 'L'Arbre des songes' as the title of the piece."
