This year’s Annual Halloween Concerts, Dances of Death, marks the triumphant return of pianist extraordinaire Amy Briggs to the University of Chicago campus. In 2009, Briggs joined the faculty as Director of Chamber Music and Artist-in-Residence. After taking a leave for the 2012-13 season, Briggs returned to campus this summer to begin preparing for her dazzling musical revival.

In addition to performing Liszt’s virtuosic Totentanz for solo piano and orchestra at this Saturday‘s Halloween concerts, the official Steinway Artist is scheduled to participate in next month’s New Music Ensemble concert featuring the work of newly-appointed professor in composition Anthony Cheung. (Click links for more information)

Join the University Symphony Orchestra and the Hyde Park School of Dance on Saturday, October 26 for the frightful and frenetic Dances of Death featuring Igor Stravinsky’s Infernal Dance of the Kaschei and Finale from The Firebird; Franz Liszt’s Mephisto Waltz No. 1: Dance in the Village Inn and Totentanz with piano soloist Amy Briggs; and Camille Saint-Saëns’ ever-popular Danse Macabre.

The costumed orchestra takes the seasonally ornamented Mandel Hall stage at 7:00 PM, with an encore performance at 9:00 PM. Barbara Schubert, Music Director, makes her legendary and not-to-be-missed entrance preceding each performance. Don’t be late!

Donations at the door:  $8 general, $4 students/children.  Seating is open, so arrive early. Children under 12 must be accompanied by an adult. Audience costumes encouraged.

Read more about Amy Briggs

Read more about the University Symphony Orchestra

Read more about the New Music Ensemble