Arcadian Reverie begins with a simple setting of the pastoral theme that recurs in many forms from a theme with gentle counterpoint to pulsing rhythms and undercurrents.  A  faster middle section with punctuating, slightly dissonant chords herald the introduction of melodic and rhythmic ostinatos and the melody in 6/8 time.  The original theme makes several attempts at disrupting the frolicking fugue before gathering all the string forces into a lush concluding statement.