It’s time for a spooky (but silly!) musical adventure as we wrap up our 3-part series on the brilliant French composer Camille Saint-Saëns.
In today’s episode of Busy Kids Love Music, we’re exploring one of Saint-Saëns’ most imaginative and well-known pieces: Danse Macabre — or “Dance of Death.” But don’t worry — while the title sounds a bit eerie, this piece is more like a playful Halloween dance party than a fright fest. With dancing skeletons, chiming midnight bells, and a dramatic story told entirely through music, Danse Macabre is the perfect mix of spooky and fun.
Inside this episode, your child will:
- Learn the meaning behind the title Danse Macabre
- Discover how Saint-Saëns uses musical instruments like the xylophone, violin, and oboe to paint a vivid scene
- Hear how a spooky-sounding interval called a tritone helps set the mood
- Use their imagination to picture the skeleton dance party in full swing
- Listen for musical clues like midnight chimes and a rooster crowing at dawn
Don’t forget to download your FREE Audio Treasure Hunt!
I’ve hidden six questions throughout the episode for your child to uncover as they listen.
Mentioned in this episode:
- Danse Macabre by Camille Saint-Saëns
- Instruments to listen for: xylophone (rattling bones!), harp (midnight chimes), violin (creepy tritone), and oboe (the rooster at dawn)
- Previous episodes in our Saint-Saëns series:
→ Episode 156: Meet the Composer – Camille Saint-Saëns
→ Episode 157: Carnival of the Animals
Whether you’re listening around Halloween or just in the mood for something dramatic and fun, this episode will show how music can spark imagination and tell a story — even without any words.