SATB + piano

NOTE FROM THE COMPOSER

This is a formidable and vocally athletic display of rhythmic and technical facility. Not relegated to be performed at any specific time of year, the nature of this work is two-fold: 1) a playful, almost humorous work at times, replete with jovial dancing, rattling of bones, and skeletons scurrying in a “party atmosphere” until the rooster’s cry signals daybreak – then they hurry back to their “earthly homes”; and 2) on a more serious side, death is portrayed as a great equalizer – rich and poor, famous and obscure, whatever one’s lot in life – no one escapes. A limited excerpt of the text was utilized for this work, while capturing the essence of the story (IPA and English translation included). Finally, one may accurately describe “Danse Macabre” as a work for “virtuosic piano accompanied by chorus.” The aural impact of the piano/voices wastes no time in leading the performers and audience through an exciting journey into the night and back.

Henri Cazalis, poet, was a French physician. Cazalis often wrote of dreams, visions, and believed the purpose of art was not to represent reality, but to access trust through metaphorical images and language.) Cazalis wrote under the pseudonyms of Jean Caselli and Jean Lahor.

TEXT

(English Translation)
Tap, tap, tap – Death rhythmically (in cadence) taps a tomb with its heel.
At midnight, it plays a tune on the violin.
The wind of winter blows and the night is dark.
Moans come out from the lime trees.
Everyone is stirring, and one hears the clacking of bones from dancers!
Tap, tap, tap! One can see the king and the peasant dancing together.
Dance, dance, skeletons dance!
But sssh!! Take flight! The rooster has crowed! [The sun is coming up!]
Skeletons, take flight!
Hooray!