Leader, Philip Whiteway
Conductor, E. GODFREY BROWN
ADELAIDE BEATTIE (soprano)

Saint-Saens's symphonic poems are naturally based upon Liszt's, as are all symphonic poems written since Liszt's day. All such works vary very slightly in construction, and have, as a rule, an artistic resemblance to that type of story known as the conte. They are almost always based upon some literary programme, and are as economical in their subject matter as is a really good concise short story. The plot of Danse Macabre is of the simplest. The scene is a graveyard at night; the clock strikes and Death appears, knocks on the graves, and starts tuning his fiddle. In answer to his summons, several skeletons appear and dance wildly, to Death's fiddling. Presently the cock crows, the dance ceases, and all disappear as day breaks.