Composer

:

Vladimir Horowitz

Genre

:

Keyboard

Style

:

Dance

Compose Date

:

1941

Average_duration

:

8:44

Danse macabre (after Liszt transcription) is a piano transcription of the orchestral work by the same name composed by Camille Saint-Saëns. The transcription was made by the renowned pianist Vladimir Horowitz in 1925. The piece was premiered by Horowitz in a recital at the Aeolian Hall in New York City on November 18, 1928. The piece is in a single movement and is characterized by its haunting and macabre melody. The piece begins with a slow and ominous introduction, which sets the tone for the rest of the piece. The main theme is then introduced, which is a fast and frenzied dance that is meant to represent the dance of death. The melody is played in the high register of the piano, which gives it a ghostly quality. The piece then moves into a series of variations on the main theme. These variations are characterized by their virtuosic piano writing and their use of different textures and harmonies. The variations range from fast and frenzied to slow and mournful, and each one adds a new layer of complexity to the piece. The final section of the piece is a return to the main theme, which is played with even more intensity than before. The piece ends with a series of fast and furious chords, which bring the piece to a dramatic close. Overall, Danse macabre (after Liszt transcription) is a virtuosic and haunting piece that showcases Horowitz's incredible piano technique and his ability to create a powerful and evocative musical atmosphere. The piece has become a staple of the piano repertoire and is still performed by pianists around the world today.

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