Saint-Saens – Danse Macabre Op.40

Saint-Saens

“Danse Macabre,” Op. 40, is one of Camille Saint-Saëns’s most famous and evocative compositions. Saint-Saëns composed “Danse Macabre” in 1874. The work is based on a poem of the same name by Henri Cazalis, which describes Death summoning the dead to dance at midnight on Halloween.

The haunting opening violin solo, often played in harmonics, sets the tone for the piece. It portrays Death summoning the spirits to join the macabre dance. Danse Macabre on the violin is a challenging piece that demands a high level of technical proficiency and interpretive skill. While not necessarily reserved for virtuoso players, mastering this composition requires an advanced skill set.

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