Danse Macabre by St-Saëns arr. Thomas Lestrelin

Danse Macabre by Camille Saint-Saëns, arranged by Thomas Lestrelin, brings the haunting elegance of this classic tone poem to the percussion ensemble setting. Originally composed in 1874, Saint-Saëns’ piece depicts Death summoning the dead from their graves to dance at midnight—a vivid narrative now reimagined through the vibrant timbres of mallet percussion instruments.

This arrangement is crafted for a quintet of percussionists, utilizing two xylophones, glockenspiel, vibraphone, and marimba. The instrumentation captures the essence of the original orchestration, with the xylophones echoing the skeletal dance, the glockenspiel adding a shimmering quality, the vibraphone providing a haunting resonance, and the marimba grounding the ensemble with rich, warm tones.

Designed for intermediate-level players (Cycle 2), this piece offers both technical challenges and expressive opportunities. Performers will navigate intricate rhythms, dynamic contrasts, and ensemble interplay, all while conveying the eerie yet captivating story that has made Danse Macabre a staple in the classical repertoire.

Thomas Lestrelin’s arrangement maintains the integrity of Saint-Saëns’ composition while making it accessible and engaging for percussion ensembles. It’s an excellent choice for concerts, recitals, and educational settings, allowing performers to explore a masterwork through the lens of percussion.

• Instrumentation: 2 xylophones, glockenspiel, vibraphone, marimba
• Number of Players: 5
• Difficulty Level: Intermediate
• Publisher: Alfonce Production
• Product Code: A271001P

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Danse Macabre arranged by Thomas Lestrelin offers a unique and thrilling addition to the percussion ensemble repertoire, blending classical storytelling with the dynamic possibilities of mallet instruments.