Composer

:

Franz Liszt

Genre

:

Keyboard

Style

:

Tone Poem

Compose Date

:

1876

Publication Date

:

1876

Average_duration

:

10:56

Franz Liszt's "Danse Macabre (after Saint-Saëns), S. 555" is a transcription of Camille Saint-Saëns' orchestral work of the same name. Liszt composed the transcription in 1875, and it premiered in Weimar, Germany, on October 31 of the same year. The piece is divided into three movements. The first movement, "Introduction," begins with a slow, ominous melody played by the piano. This melody is then repeated and developed, leading into the second movement, "Danse Macabre." This movement is a lively and playful dance, with the piano imitating the sounds of a xylophone and a violin. The third movement, "Finale," returns to the slow, ominous melody of the first movement, bringing the piece to a dramatic close. Liszt's transcription of "Danse Macabre" is characterized by his virtuosic piano writing and his use of orchestral effects on the piano. He also adds his own flourishes and embellishments to the original melody, making it more complex and challenging for the performer. Overall, "Danse Macabre (after Saint-Saëns), S. 555" is a thrilling and haunting piece that showcases Liszt's skill as a pianist and arranger. Its popularity has endured over the years, and it remains a staple of the piano repertoire.

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