One of Saint-Saens' most identifiable symphonic works. The piece opens with 12 single D's representing the 12 strokes of midnight. Death represented by the solo violin, calls for the dead from their graves to dance for him while he plays his fiddle. the dance continues vigorously until the crow of a rooster represented by the oboe. the piece ends with the last skeletons scurrying back to their graves.

Instrumentation: conductor -- flute 1-- flute 2 -- oboe -- clarinet in Bb 1 -- clarinet in Bb 2 -- bassoon -- horn in f 1 -- horn in f 2 -- trumpet in Bb 1 -- trumpet in bb2 -- trombone 1 -- trombone 2 -- tuba -- xylophone/bells -- timpani -- triangle -- cymbals -- bass drum -- solo violin -- violin 1 -- violin 2 -- viola -- violoncello -- double bass.