The piece begins with an introduction in major, with vocal assistance in the form of a recitative which is omitted in the symphonic version. Then follows in sequence: the dance of the hours of dawn, the hours of day, the hours of the night and the morning.

The episode devoted to dawn (in major) merges with the extensive introduction to the episode dedicated to daytime hours, anticipating the rhythmic [bad word] of four notes, which characterizes the episode. The transition point between the two episodes, where it marks the birth of the day, coincides with the intervention in fortissimo of the [bad word] ("Prodigio! Incanto!"), which follows a slow chromatic passage, typical of the author's style.

After a brief episode in sharp minor devoted to the night, based on figuration in staccato, a connected and expressive melody in minor, played by cellos, introduces the morning. new pathetic melody in minor extends to a broad phrase with initial tone in minor.