Danse Macabre

I love so many versions of this piece, but I think this is my favorite right now because I really like the full orchestra presentation (and the artwork) : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YyknBTm_YyM

Here are my thoughts: 

Danse Macabre by Charles-Camille Saint-Saens (1875) is one of my favorite pieces of classical music and one that is especially appropriate to Halloween. It's a great example of Romance-era classical music- it is dynamic in volume and emotion, and it is also a 'tone poem' or 'symphonic poem' that tells a story. It actually once contained a real poem too, and was presented as an 'art song' since it contained spoken word as part of its composition, which was very 'edgy' for the day. 

The words of poem were about how death eventually comes for us all, peasant or King, and we should dance while we can., The poem was also loosely based on an old French superstition that once a year the dead were allowed out of their graves for one night. The poem's words have long since been replaced with a violin as the main 'voice'. This version is a full orchestra version.

Click the YouTube link above and listen along:

At 0: 00, when the piece begins, you can hear the 12 chimes of the clock as it strikes midnight.

At 0:13 you can hear strings being plucked. Are they footsteps?

At 0:18, this is the exposition (It exposes you to a unifying theme). It's a very quick introduction, and starts with "the Devil's Cord." This is a tritone (a pitchfork?!) which is a note or combination of notes that are culturally 'evil' or 'onimous.' It is used because it evokes a strong reaction from the listener. It grabs the attention! I once heard someone say this tritone was once banned by a Pope, but I don't think it's true. It should be, though! That would be a great story.

0:26 Begins theme "A". In the classical style, a comsposition will alternate between a couple of 'themes' with some fooling around with those themes during the piece. Usually theme "A" will be loud and fast, and theme "B" slower and more melodic. Saint-Saens does something very interesting with these two themes later in the piece.

At 0:41, theme "B" begins.

At 0:56, theme "A" returns.

At 1:26, back to theme "B".

At 1:44, can you hear the bones clacking against each other?

At 2:00, theme "A" returns.

At 2:29, the violins buzz. I think they sound like flies buzzing. There are echos of "A" in here. I call this part 'the creepy carnival section'. Tension is building.

At 3:00 "B" returns. It's slightly flat or off-key, lonely and sad. The main voice is echoed by the crowd and there is a dreamy sounding harp.

At 3:29 There is some kind of transition happening and we hear some swirling wind gusts.

At 3:44 "B" returns. It's regal with the horns section.

At 3:53 I hear the clacking bones again.

At 4:10 things calm down a bit, unwind.

At 4:44 The main voice is speaking very sadly.

At 4:57 A crescendo begins. There is an echo of the introduction. The drama is building. Is something going to happen?

At 5:10 More swirling wind. Tension is building.

At 5:22 This is the magical time when both themes "A" and "B" play right on top of each other. They mesh so beautifully and you can pick each one out if you listen closely. That's just awesome! The highlight of the composition!

5:35 is intense. The drama is building. Is something else going to happen?

6:17 Yes! A sudden stop and a rooster's crow. Oh, no! Is the night over already?

6:24 They are so scared, the instruments are actually shivering!

6:34 The sad voice lets us know that the one night out per year is now over all must return to their graves for the year.

7:00 But, they plan to meet again next year at midnight!

I am not a musician and do not play any instruments or have any music training other than stuff I have read in books or on-line. I would appreciate any corrections or suggestions to my thoughts (above).

And no, this is not a homework assignment. I'm just a dork who really likes this piece.