In the original symphonic tone poem Danse Macabre by Camille Saint-Saens, the famous xylophone part emulated the sounds of rattling bones from a dancing skeleton - an appropriate fit for a piece whose name translates as 'Dance of Death'.
Brian Slawson has artfully arranged this classic orchestral work into a version for percussion ensemble, letting the xylophone maintain its elevated status throughout the entirety of the piece. Spritely, fun, and a little dark, this piece is a great way to expand your students' knowledge of orchestral repertoire.
Instrumentation:
- Player 1: Xylophone
- Player 2: Chimes
- Player 3: Vibraphone
- Player 4: 5-Octave Marimba (Shared)
- Player 5: 5-Octave Marimba (Shared)
- Player 6: 5-Octave Marimba (4.3 Optional)
- Player 7: Timpani (2)
- Player 8: Crash Cymbals
Difficulty: Medium
Duration: 3:15
This ensemble includes a full bound score and a CD with all of the individual parts and an MP3 recording.
