The Masque of the Red Death
This programmatic piece is based on Edgar Allen Poeis short story The Masque of the Red Death. It features a group of aristocrats who have locked themselves up in a castle to ward off the Red Death. After several months of seclusion the Prince decides to have a party. They lavishly decorate the seven suites, each in a different color. The seventh room was decorated black and dominated by a very ominous clock. The attendees freely moved about 6 of the rooms but steered clear of the clock. As the party goes on the clocks chimes grow louder and louder as though time itself is marching through the suites. Eventually it becomes clear they are not safe from the Red Death and clocks chimes begin to sound out their demise. The music is in a variety of styles, always with an undertone of the approaching Red Death. They dance and have fun but always something seems to be amiss about their gathering. Soon the horns sound the chimes of the clock and eventually the attendees realize that they cannot escape the Red Death.