"Danse Macabre" is a symphonic poem composed by Camille Saint-Saëns in 1874. The piece is inspired by a poem of the same name by Henri Cazalis, which depicts Death calling skeletons to dance at midnight. It is characterized by its lively tempo and eerie melodies, creating a vivid atmosphere of both celebration and spookiness. The composition features a prominent xylophone, representing the rattling bones of the dead, and a haunting violin solo that mimics the sound of a fiddler. "Danse Macabre" has become one of Saint-Saëns' most famous works, often performed during the Halloween season and in various media.