4
votes

I wonder if "The Carnival of the Animals" and "Danse Macabre" are the same piece? Why are they named differently?

10
votes

The 12th movement of the suite "The Carnival of the Animals", Fossils, is copied partly from the "Danse Macabre", a piece previously written by Saint-Saëns.

It quotes the theme of Dance Macabre in a humorous way, and also several other tunes including "Au Clair de la Lune" and "Ah! Vous d'irai-je, Maman" (the tune English-speakers know as "Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star" or "The ABC Song").

2
  • Is "Fossils" then a pun on reusing all those old tunes? – Michael Curtis Feb 23 at 19:08
  • @MichaelCurtis It's a joke, but not a pun. – PiedPiper Feb 23 at 22:57

Not the answer you're looking for? Browse other questions tagged or ask your own question.