Saint-Saëns "Danse macabre" for two pianos, op.40

2011 ©
Anatasia Gromoglasova (left) and Liubov Gromoglasova (right) performing at their piano duo recital at the Small hall of the Moscow conservatoire. Live Recording.
К. Сен-Санс, "Пляска смерти" соч. 40
фортепианный дуэт Анастасия и Любовь Громогласовы. Запись с концерта в Малом зале Московской консерватории

[@paxwallacejazz]

After hearing him improvise on the piano Franz List declared that Camile Saint Saens was the world's greatest composer. Born 1835 he was a prodigy who was giving concerts by 10. He was a brilliant student equally interested in Science Philosophy and literature he also wrote poetry I guess. Let's see: he was a contemporary of Brahms, List, Chopin, Wagner, Scriabin, Satie, Debussy, and Ravel, as well as Gustov Mahler, etc. That he and everyone else was overshadowed was inevitable. It's truly a testimonial to his genius that we know his music as well as we do. His music is full of melodic unpredictability and often harmonic complexity yet always has highly individual personality from composition to composition .

[@mattrogers5188]

Gustav*

[@ravenslaves]

Cool* :)

[@mudsharkbytes]

After examining Satie’s Three Gymnopedies, which he’d submitted when he applied for membership in the Académie Française, Saint Saens rejected him.

[@mudsharkbytes]

L'Epouvantail that may all be true, but Satie submitted those works early in his career, before the bitterness set in and before he was very well known. Don’t get me wrong, I greatly admire Saint Saens as a composer, but his failure to recognize the supreme musicality of Satie’s works at this stage in the composers career has always disappointed me.

[@DemetriusDrekin01]

Did you study music?

[@MOG007]

My father used to play this around Halloween.

[@vivianalperin5555]

Misty OjaiGirl......I did, too! 😈😉

[@maxtew6521]

This is the proper use of the "Dance of Death." It'll always be tradition for me, too.

[@DemetriusDrekin01]

Your father was a legend.

[@hz3917]

Amazing that he could play two pianos at once!

[@user-vu1ri4bm7r]

You have a wonderful father.

[@alfredogomez5241]

Saint Saens is one of the most underrated classical music composer.

[@muhwu6332]

Agreed, I honestly hadn't even heard of him until I heard Lara Melda's rendition of his second piano concerto. Needless to say, listening to a lot more of his work recently.

[@faremy]

Actually, among musician, he is pretty known. especially in France

[@muhwu6332]

No doubt. But among non-musicians everyone know mozart, bach and tchaikovsky but even liszr and rachmaninoff might be unknown names so in that category, saint-saens is far too unknown compared to the quality of his compositions. :)

[@evilskull2911]

Yup.

[@fernandomartin9190]

underrated? what?.. His music was used in Hollywood films and Advertisings, that Mozart or Bethoven are popular knowledge doesnt mean it is underrated.

[@theegoist7876]

Это исполнение я прослушиваю хотя бы раз в неделю в течение уже нескольких лет и не устаю слушать. Спасибо за ваш талант!

[@user-ep1un6wx1h]

Как же понимаю, это можно слушать бесконечно)

[@user-fy4it4db9d]

Ты наверно уже все выучил

[@pwalker865]

I couldn't stop smiling though the entire piece. Bravo to the two ladies for the wonderful display of your talent.

[@oxiigen]

Yeah this is more funny than Charlie Chaplin.

[@ua6523]

4:25 those chromatics in pianissimo has got to be the single most sexiest thing these ears ever eargasmed with! I mean that takes consummate skill and musicianship to perform with such perfection. Them 205 people that thumbed down this superlative performance.... let's talk.

[@HuffleScrumblo]

gross

[@franzliszt8090]

Those pianos are bigger than my house

[@santiagomaldonado1153]

Is it true that you say that Camille was the best composer of all? :v

[@defne3476]

Hey, Liszt! Do you mean your house near god? That’s a shame.. i thought god was generous:(

[@yulianaque1712]

Franz, do you play on harpsichord?

[@feiruznoxravenus2093]

Hey litszt did you know that tom from tom & Jerry played one of your songs on an episode ?

[@agstinacueva1673]

I bet they cost even more lmao

[@lilliansunshine7499]

In terms of sound I guess I prefer full ensemble just because certain instruments sound better on certain parts by virtue of being that instrument,,, but dear god the musicianship and skill that go into this duet is unimaginable

[@hrh2842]

Yes, Definitely prefer the orchestral version. Also, those girls are too well behaved, even for this Victorian foray into "demonic" music.

[@argiskelton7292]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/p3-wq3Wkqqd2bLs

[@humidifier8914]

True, but sometimes the piano just sounds so nice

[@cefrinaldi8060]

I actually prefer violin piano version. But dang! Two piano is so damn good.

[@hansmuller1846]

This must be exactly what Saint-Saens felt when writing this piece of music. It's so pure!

[@castalia98]

They sound like an orchestra!

[@MayaAshAnimation]

The type of people who really deserve fame

[@conosud7737]

Why? Why do they deserve fame? Why is fame so important? So, what you imply is that their value is on the fame they can collect? Who cares the fame? What matters is that people with their values can exist and be appreciated, and so, what does fame have anything to do with that at all?

[@metodoinstinto]

This is the very best version of the Danse I've ever heard. Better than the orchestra. The arrangement is superb, and these those geniuses playing make it even greater. I don't get tired of saying this: CONGRATULATIONS TO BOTH OF YOU. YOU ARE GREAT.

[@pubdigitalix]

I agree. Bravo !!

[@kmco5633]

I agree ^^

[@Ant-ls2pr]

Love the organ version as well

[@cantkeepitin]

by far not the best. Go for Sultanov.

[@tnoender]

Horowitz?

[@chaosopher23]

I was going to just listen while I did some coding, but this is as much fun to watch as it is to hear. Wow!

[@jacko2000hej]

The ending is just amazing. The way they're perfectly in sync is something else

[@remocleo]

i dance to this in the cemetery on Halloween night

[@ruby8903]

10/10 very spoopy

[@mikustannie3953]

the edge

[@mecabrico]

Трудно представить себе количество лет обучения и количество часов репетиций, необходимых для достижения такого совершенства в синхронизации. Поздравляем и благодарим вас за это прекрасное шоу! It is hard to imagine the number of years of learning and the number of hours of repetition to achieve such perfection in synchronization. Congratulations, and thank you for this beautiful show !

[@RedcoatsReturn]

Beautiful music, beautiful ladies, beautiful grand pianos, beautiful acoustics, beautiful, beautiful, glorious, brilliant and beautiful!!!

[@SNSDFOREVERSONESEO]

I am salivating

[@chantelletom-ying330]

As I watched this I literally cried because I didn’t know pianists could play with others. It’s so rare for a pianist to make music with someone, to listen to someone else and have someone else be listening to you. That this orchestral piece was arranged into duet form playable for piano makes me very happy.

[@seahorse0009]

Maybe you should check out a piano concerto or two? The piano is playing with the orchestra in that case.

[@chantelletom-ying330]

Faba Bona oh, well I meant playing with your own section. And this probably makes no sense because that’s what pianists aren’t supposed to do. Also they sit at the corner of the stage far away from everyone else so it seems pretty lonely...

[@seahorse0009]

@@chantelletom-ying330 Oh, so- having a piano section? I think I got you now. The only piece I can think off the top of my head with multiple pianos is Saint-Saëns' The Carnival of Animals.

[@josephhapp9]

Mozart wrote a concerto for 3 pianos and orchestra. Rachmaninoff wrote “2” Suites for 2 Piano’s Ravel wrote works for 2 piano’s. La Valse is one example.

[@yupperz6494]

It was hard to tell there was more than one player. Truly impeccable timing and rhythm.

[@TitanicHG]

I got chills just within the first minute of this. Beautifully done!

[@mudkip_btw]

Yep, right at 0:50! Can't help it... This composition is amazing. Just heard an organ performance of this, no word to describe it but macabre..

[@OninDynamics]

Titanic: Honor And Glory I hope you will put this piece of art on your game!

[@theharry801]

+Rockstar Pirate I NEED TO FIND THIS NOW! Link?

[@icymok9612]

⁸~⁰

[@thehiddenfangirl8611]

An orchestra is impressive but this is crazily great. I hope to be able to play like you at some point.

[@davivify]

Beautiful. Though I must say, I've never seen two concert grands in mating position before. Hopefully we'll soon have a healthy little baby grand :-)

[@diegopena8360]

😳

[@sockcucker9577]

Of course. This is the source of the expression "69."

[@speedydry]

One of my favorite composers. Great duet. Pianos are wonderful. Such a range of emotions, all controlled by the artist.

[@myinformationoverload]

Never thought that this piece of music could be done on the piano. I am glad that I am sorely mistaken. Great job ladies!!!!!!! This is one of my favorite pieces of music. You have definitely done it justice. Thank you!!!!!!!

[@StuartSimon]

There is even a transcription for solo piano by Saint-Saëns’ friend Franz Liszt. After all, Liszt had composed his own Totentanz for piano and orchestra in his touring years.

[@clivedavies5618]

The more l hear these sisters perform, the more l am in awe of them. Their fabulous talent is a wonder and gift to us all. Thank you Anastasia and Liubov.

[@giulliabraga9709]

It's about the 1000st time i'm listening to this, and it's still one of my most beloved songs in what is probably my favorite version. Thanks!!

[@julialivingston-adams2909]

Genius arrangement! You wouldn't be able to fit Danse on just one piano...

[@electrocompany]

+Julia Livingston-Adams Horowitz did!

[@julialivingston-adams2909]

Well, I stand corrected. :) That guy must be some pianist.

[@SuperMikeC65]

Well, he did, yes, but even for Horowitz it doesn't sound nearly as good when played solo as when played 4-hands.

[@crisz2525]

unless you're lizst, then you can fit a whole orchestra on just one piano

[@Vladythebest96]

Well there's always Lizst. He figured it out :D

[@jaredt5127]

This is the first time Ive heard dual grand pianos play a song I know and love. Superb

[@Sofrito_and_Rice]

I can't help but feel so full of passionate anger when listening to this

[@oniichandaman]

I wish I had seen this live...I cant sum up my emotions hearing this piece in words, it is so unworldly.

[@ExMyHeartOut]

I love the original better, but this is one of the best renditions of this song I have ever heard. Brilliantly played and with so much emotion! I love it!(:

[@hrh2842]

"Danse Macabre" is not a song.

[@blackie126]

H R H Christ, dont be that person.

[@hrh2842]

@@blackie126 ???

[@blackie126]

@@hrh2842 The music snob - you know exactly what I mean. For example, Biber's Passacaglia is not a "song" but if someone referred to it as such, it wouldn't be much of a big deal, if they were appreciating the music still.

[@hrh2842]

@@blackie126 A song is something quite specific. Seems that, to you, knowledge is an undesirable. Ah, like the moral monstrosity in the WH, you, too, like the poorly educated.

[@kellyoung9684]

one of the best Danse Macabre I ever listen to

[@lorenzomedelpiano]

FANTASTIC!!! extremely talented sisters!!!!

[@laurencegallant6825]

10 years later and i keep coming back for this vidéo 😁 amazing !

[@chrispernasky9619]

Stunned and speechless...my new favorite version of a favorite classical piece. My humble thanks.

[@ralphb.5335]

I now feel that I need a piano; and should have one...

[@user-ip6zh8jt7f]

Анастасия и Любовь, это чудесно! Замечательное исполнение фантастически красивой музыки. Фортепианное переложение, кажется, даже сильнее оркестровой пьесы. Спасибо, спасибо!

[@aaaaaaa6547]

Un spectacle sans pareil !

[@sasunminasyan]

Wow! Amazing!

[@tatarskiyu4pu4mak]

Все-таки русская школа демонстративно показывает высокий класс. Это великолепно. Спасибо вам, девченки. Вы великолепны.

[@flyurway]

That was AWESOME!!!!!!!! Freaking loved it!!

[@AthSamaras]

The perfect synchronization ... Congratulations to both sisters ...

[@nlcwilson2017]

how skillful and beautiful

[@kristenday9566]

love this song and the pianos really emphasize a new part of the piece for me

[@LaGuerre19]

i can almost see them as little kid-sisters practicing piano together, and now playing together like this. well done!

[@oceandream14]

Impressionnant et magnifique!

[@angelcake7077]

Frank Culleron oui! c'est hyper cool

[@destinee2052]

English please Non, je plaisante

[@diak1172]

@@destinee2052 on va voir ça ! Mon bel homme... Bisous

[@christopherpeck1575]

Imagine the piano tuner. My tuning professor, Clayton Harmon, got the job of tuning for Feranti and Teischer. He took me with him. He first tuned one piano, then I played the notes for the other. After, at the concert, they shook bothhis hands, said they couldcount on one hand how many times, in twenty-five years, the pianos were so perfect that the tuner didn’t have to tune at all, during the intermission. Clayton Harmon. ‘Just remember, Harmonize your piano,’

[@marvacuster3839]

They are magnificent on the piano 🎹. Would love to see them in concert ☺️

[@nidesoleil]

Superbe danse intemporelle ! Magnifique interprétation ! 👍😊😊😊😊😊

[@ZestyLemonBoi]

Блестящий!

[@violinhunter2]

Saint Saens was a genius and distant relative - good job uncle Cami.

[@acohen3951]

When Russians play classical music, you want to listen !!! Great duet, I enjoyed very much. Thank you for uploading for the rest of us to enjoy !!!

[@stevelee3264]

One of the finest Masterpieces.

[@orvillewrightjr.6119]

This spellbing and stupendous performance has become my favorite by two sisters.

[@ChaunceyH3]

OUTSTANDING

[@korneyzemliakov]

Шикардос

[@geliopouthapesei]

Amazing women, amazing performance, amazing piece, amazing grand pianos, amazing acoustics, amazing room, amazing...

[@user-dg9qc7qo6y]

Лучше не скажешь!!!

[@afsg2410]

It is interesting how the composer arranges parts of the piece "fossils" from his work "le carnaval des animaux" into this wonderful work. Great performance, thank you!

[@ivybrowning9830]

i am not worthy of listening to such perfection

[@deonmurphy6383]

Thank you for this. Many years ago I found a 78-rpm recording of this (two piano arrangement) how ever could not listen as the disk had a crack and a large chunk missing. I was not able to track down a copy and then life caught up with me.

[@frogmouth]

Very playful. This is such good viewing as well as listening.

[@erwinvanhees9040]

woow wat een mooie performence een prachtig nummer mooi gebracht en ik heb enkel op de piano's gelet

[@JLew-ch8yu]

Exceptional performance ~ thanks so much!

[@gracegorman3306]

It's entirely fitting that I listened to this, The Dance of Death, at midnight on 31 October 2019.

[@shaider1982]

Same here but this morning (Nov 1, 2019)

[@ThePcorpuz]

I came here because I can't play this in Magic Piano app

[@hadhromiy2harits]

I can but the slow part is just like what?

[@SickieJr]

Of course not, it takes 4 hands.

[@melissahurtadoosorio7391]

When you play Something so good in piano apps you feel like a famous pianist. Don't you?

[@saturatedpantie]

6:11 It gives me goose bumps. What a perfect performance!

[@ASTRO8800]

Majestuoso

[@YourOldUncleNoongah]

ABSOLUTELY BEAUTIFUL!

[@markhenryramsey9132]

This piece never tires. Emotion captured perfectly. A great deal of thanks to you both.

[@michaelshelley1289]

one of my favorite songs.......you ladies KILLED it!!!! i LOVED it!!!

[@martabattistini6622]

Strepitoso é emozionante sentire due pianoforti insieme bravissime

[@michaelrose8913]

You guys are phenomenal...

[@2308malice]

interprétation magistrale des deux soeurs Gromoglasova ! bravo et merci pour la musique française....

[@glasswing3054]

i was finding the name of this piece for so long and here it is

[@DJS11811]

Wonderful.

[@lorenzomedelpiano]

Beautiful ! ! !

[@Sushizhang]

Phenomenal.

[@fgbowen]

All-Righty then - That was stellar.

[@elizabethhutt7743]

How could anyone dislike this????

[@user-iw3hv3hl8m]

HOW COULD ANYONE HAVE DIFFERENT TASTE IN MUSIC ?????

[@Niaaal]

@@user-iw3hv3hl8m Then you move on without disliking it. Maybe it's not your type of music, but if you can't realize the absolute mastery at play here and respect it, that's very sad for you. Peace

[@user-iw3hv3hl8m]

@@Niaaal That is absolutely not sad at all, tastes may vary heavily depending on your culture. What is sad is to not realize how much 2 people can be different.

[@Niaaal]

@@user-iw3hv3hl8m you probably misread my message. I did say that I understand that people have different tastes. That is not my criticism. My point is that even though you have different tastes, you should be able to recognize talent in any particular field and respect that talent even though it's not your favorite style. For example, I'm not a fan of heavy metal or music like that. I generally can't stand listening to more than a few seconds of it. Yet, I might marvel at how a how a great heavy metal guitarist masterfully plays his instrument and respect his skill. I won't dislike it and say it's bad just because it's not my style. I will just think it's not for me, but kudos to the guitarist and move on without hitting dislike. Heck, I might even hit like if it's really that impressive, and move on. There is too much negativity and narcissism going around, where everything that doesn't fit your particular interest has no value and doesn't deserve its own type of respect. That's what I'm criticizing. Keeping an open mind and recognizing value to things that fit oustide of your box is a virtue.

[@user-iw3hv3hl8m]

@@Niaaal You make way too much of a big deal here I dislike this music and that's it I dont care if you find it sad. And I don't care how you try to respect some art you cannot appreciate. There are music I dislike so much that I cannot listen more than 2 seconds of it. Why would I waste my time to recognize talents or hard work or what ever ? I dont want to fullfill my head with things I dislike, I'd rather focus on stuff I like. When it is about music of course...

[@justinsegarra675]

Dance of Death is and always will be one of my favorite pieces. There's nothing like the full ensemble but the piano is pretty great too.

[@pierre-gabrieljobin9450]

Cette transposition pour 2 pianos est fantastique. And the 2 pianists are also fantastic.

[@jennief2108]

Wonderful !! Thank you )

[@cesyencedeno6264]

You both made my day...!

[@paulmeek2558]

Beautiful

[@daitang5611]

This is just beautiful. Thank you very much~

[@Raikua]

This is truly and utterly beautiful.

[@doubleminded2196]

This is absolutely amazing.

[@gerryr1852]

Wonderful - simply wonderful!

[@Mat-vb2hz]

I've always dreamed of doing a duet on a piano with someone, and as a french pianist of 17 years old whose favorite piece is La danse macabre, I literaly cried while listening to your arrangement.. It really is a hidden gem, and the best version I've ever found for piano, thank you so much for playing this ❤️

[@ungatoenbicicleta]

I really enjoyed the video. Awesome

[@tangra1755]

Очень, очень хорошо!

[@daviddaratony2256]

This is a pure delight. Thank you.

[@AlfonsoMGasdb]

Oh my!!!! This is just superb!!!

[@jmgv4]

Wonderfully played!!

[@davidpendergast4607]

Absolutely fantastic!

[@olga70able]

Une tuerie.Merci.

[@losername]

Потрясающе! Огромное спасибо!

[@ssoleima]

Really enjoyed it.

[@Fleischmahn]

This made me want to start up the old piano playing again. Thank you!