Now the summer is over and autumn has arrived we turn our thoughts to Halloween music featured on our site.
But first, what is Halloween?
Also known as , also known as Hallowe’en, All Hallows Eve or All Saints Eve, we celebrate Halloween on 31st October. It’s possible that Halloween originated from the pagan festival of Samhain. The ancient Celts would welcome in the Harvest. They would also give gifts to the dead and play tricks on each other, blaming naughty spirits or faeries. Later, as Christianity spread around the world, November 1st was declared All Saints Day. However, the pagan traditions continued on All Saints Eve.
You can read more about the history of Halloween and its traditions at History.com
Music for Halloween
If you’re planning a Halloween party and want to perform some spooky music then now is the time to practice. Take a look at our selection of scary sheet music below.
Danse Macabre by Saint-Saëns – this is based around a French legend where Death plays his fiddle at midnight on Halloween, making the skeletons in the cemetery come out and dance.
Funeral March by Chopin – it’s possible that Chopin wrote this sympathising with his fellow Polish countrymen in their uprising against the Russians in the 1830s.
In the Hall of the Mountain King by Grieg – from the Peer Gynt suite. This describes Peer escaping from the home of the Mountain King with the trolls chasing him.
Ride of the Valkyries by Wagner – from The Ring cycle. The Valkyries are warrior maidens who are returning from battle and gathering on a mountain top.
Funeral March of a Marionette by Gounod – this piece tells of a marionette which has died in a duel. The funeral procession begins followed by a gentler section where the mourners have refreshments. Then the procession begins again.
Hungarian Dance by Brahms – Hungarian travelling Gypsy bands inspired Brahms when he composed this.
Toccata and Fugue in D Minor by Bach – This is a very familiar piece that has been used in various films including Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde (1931), Fantasia (1940), La Dolce Vita (1960), Rollerball (1975) and 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea (1954).
Use your membership to download the sheet music from music-scores. If we don’t have a version for your instrument or ensemble then just contact us to request a transposition.
