The Swan
Song DNA
A beautifully melodic piece that evokes deep emotion.
Cultural Context
Originally composed by Saint-Saëns.
Listening Prompt
Allow the melodies to take you on a journey.
What to Expect
A smooth, flowing melody that captivates.
Hear it the way it was made
The right gear changes everything.
Moods: intimate, melancholy
How this song sits on each sensory axis
A dynamic range of 6/10 means this song moves. Expect a real volume climb between quiet sections and the loudest part of the arrangement — enough that you may want to set the initial volume below where you'd normally land.
Sudden changes: none. Transitions are musically signaled — nothing will surprise you if you're only half-listening.
Texture: smooth.
Predictability is high — the song telegraphs what it will do next. A sensory-sensitive listener can usually guess where it's going without close attention.
Vocal style: instrumental.
Where this sits in Yo-Yo Ma's catalog
We have 13 songs from Yo-Yo Ma in the library. Of those, 6 are rated Safe, 4 Moderate, and 3 Intense. This song's dynamic range of 6/10 sits below the artist average of 7.0, making it the #9 most dynamic track of theirs in our library.
Other tracks from Simply Baroque II
We have 2 songs from this album. Overall, the album leans safe in sensory profile.
- Czardas — intense DR 8
2000 context
Released in 2000. We have 305 songs from that year in our library, averaging a dynamic range of 6.7/10. This track is quieter / less dynamic than the year average. Explore more from the 2000s.
Explore by mood and tradition
Why this rating
We rate this song Safe because its dynamic range stays within our low-variance band, there are no unsignaled changes, and the texture and vocal style are both in the low-fatigue range. Our methodology uses an AND rule for Safe — a song has to clear every dimension to earn the rating.
Rating last reviewed: 2026-04-05. Reviewed by the Music I Want editorial team against the documented methodology.
Think this rating is wrong? Email the editor — every message is read and ratings get revised.
Frequently asked about "The Swan"
Quick answers pulled from the song's sensory analysis.
What is the sensory intensity of "The Swan" by Yo-Yo Ma?
"The Swan" by Yo-Yo Ma rates as Low-Intensity. Dynamic range 6/10, no sudden changes, smooth texture. Our Low-Intensity rating means no single dimension triggers the higher-intensity thresholds.
How loud is "The Swan" — what is its dynamic range?
"The Swan" has a dynamic range of 6/10. Noticeable climb from quiet sections to loudest point. Set opening volume slightly lower than your preferred peak.
Does "The Swan" have sudden or surprising changes?
No. "The Swan" has no sudden unsignaled changes. Every transition is musically telegraphed.
What is "The Swan" best for?
In our library "The Swan" is recommended for: anxiety relief, emotional release. These tags are assigned only where the song's sensory profile genuinely supports the use case.
When was "The Swan" released?
"The Swan" is from 2000, on the album "Simply Baroque II". It appears in our 2000s catalog.
What is the emotional mood of "The Swan"?
We tag "The Swan" as intimate, melancholy. Moods are tonal descriptors based on how the song reads emotionally — separate from the sensory intensity axes.
What is the vocal style of "The Swan"?
The vocal style is instrumental.
Should I listen to "The Swan"?
If you want gentle, low-arousal music, "The Swan" is a solid pick — Low-Intensity across every sensory dimension.
Songs with the same DNA
smooth texture, similar intensity — across any genre or era.
What this song means to people
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