Nobody knows what happens after we die, but there sure are a lot of theories and beliefs. This question has inspired countless religions, philosophies, works of art, and classics of literature--basically everything that helps us interact and cope with the things science cannot currently explain.
The oldest and most colorful stories include some sort of eerie underworld or purgatory where everyone goes, or some place of damnation where the wicked (however that is defined) go. These stories have successfully scared many people into compliance with their cultural expectations, but they have also sparked a flame of imagination in many a composer or writer, filmmaker or Halloween decorator.
This month we take a look at some examples of how the concept of the underworld and its inhabitants have haunted composers over the last couple centuries. And may your Halloween parties be possessed by spooky songs and Dances with Devils.
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1. Link Wray
Fire and Brimstone
Ralph Stanley; James Shelton
Sony Classical - 886443590311
2. Anaïs Mitchell
Hadestown: Why We Build the Wall
Sung by Hades and company
Warner - 190295893484
3. Miguel Del Águila
Conga-Line in Hell
Camerata de las Americas; Duane Cochran; Joel Sachs
Sono Luminus - DOR-93230
4. Joseph Hellmesberger Jr.
Danse Diabolique
Gottingen Symphony Orchestra; Christian Simonis
Marco Polo - 8.225021
5. Sergey Prokofiev
Waltz Suite: III. Mephisto Waltz
São Paulo Symphony; Marin Alsop
Naxos - 8.573518
6. László Dubrovay
Faust, the Damned Suite No. 1: IV. Tukor pas de deux
Budapest Symphony; László Kovács
Hungaroton - HCD31831-32
7. Bohuslav Martinů
Mariken of Nimègue: The devil's dance with Mariken
Prague Symphony and Radio Choir
Supraphon - 11-1802-2
8. Rued Langgaard
Antikrist, Prologue: Morkets Kristus: Antikrist! Stig op!
Danish National Choir and Orchestra; Thomas Dausgaard
Dacapo - 6.220523-24
9. Charles-François Gounod
Faust, Act III: Vous qui faites l'endormie
Nicolai Ghiaurov; Munich Radio Orchestra; Bavarian Radio Chorus
BR-Klassik - 900304
10. Félicien David
Herculanum, Act IV, Scene 2: Allez, dans la nuit profonde, Allez!
Flemish Radio Choir; Brussels Philharmonic
Ediciones Singulares - ES1020
11. Jacques Offenbach
Orpheus in the Underworld: Overture
Slovak State Philharmonic; Alfred Walter
Naxos - 8.553627
12. Edmond Dédé
Méphisto masqué
Hot Springs Music Festival pianist
Naxos - 8.559038
13. Camille Saint-Saëns
Danse Macabre
Malmö Symphony Orchestra; Marc Soustrot
Naxos - 8.573140
The Magic Mirror Suite: VII. The Witch's Death-Dance
London Philharmonic; Nicolas Braithwaite
Lyrita - SRCD208
15. Franz Liszt
Totentanz
Eldar Nebolsin; Royal Liverpool Philharmonic; Vasily Petrenko
Naxos - 8.570517
16. Hector Berlioz
Symphonie fantastique: V. Songe d'une Nuite du Sabbet
London Symphony; Valery Gergiev
LSO - LSO0757
17. Antonio Bazzini
La ronde des lutins
Rachel Barton Pine
Cedille - CDR90000-041
18. Stacy Garrop
String Quartet No. 2, "Demons and Angels": III. Inner Demons
Biava Quartet
Cedille - CDR90000-100
19. Tobias PM Schnied
5 Portraits: No. 4. Demon Dancer
Esther Hoppe
NEOS - NEOS11105
20. György Ligeti
Etudes, Book 2: No. 13. L'escalier du diable
Jeremy Denk
Nonesuch - 075597962185
21. Alexina Louie
Demon Gate: II. Windspirit
Esprit Orchestra; Alex Pauk
Centrediscs - CMCCD7902
22. Payton Macdonald
Devil Dance
Marc Grauwels; Sarah Mouradoglou
Naxos - 8.572521
23. Judith Bingham
Festival of Hell: Gothick
Tom Winpenny
Naxos - 8.572687
24. Oven in the Underworld
Tansy Davies
New London Children's Choir; Alexander Wells; Ronald Corp
Naxos - 8.572113
Each month, Naxos Music Library presents a themed playlist for our
subscribers to enjoy. We know that a database of over 2 million tracks
can be a bit daunting, so we'd like to highlight some of the amazing
music that is available to you. Let it kickstart discovery!
