This work was originally scored as a tone poem that was written in 1874 by well-known French composer Camille Saint-Sans. The basis of the piece is an old French superstition where at the stroke of midnight on Halloween, Death appears and summons the dead to dance while he plays his music for them. In a familiar 3/4, it’s spooky enough for a Halloween performance and classical enough for any program or contest all year long! (3:15)