Thread: Haunting Songs - Decided

Our troupe is sponsoring a halloween show in 2009. It will be my first solo performance. I'm looking for some music that is slow and haunting but not too difficult. Maybe something that would work well with a veil routine? I was thinking of something from Phantom of the Opera or Pan's Labrynth. Anyone have any other ideas? It's going to take me all year to choregraph/practice so I need to choose music soon. Help, Please!!

One of the most haunting pieces I have ever heard and used is the Theme from the Story of O, by Ramasutra . My partner and I do a modern stage presentation using Shamadan to it. People tell me they get goosebumps when they listen to it. I did too when I first heard it. I have a youtube post of us doing the act on my account( susuabdo) if you would like to listen to it. Good luck.

Nox Arcana has some great songs. Especially on their Edgar Allen Poe CD. I can't remember the actually name of it, but all the songs are based on Poe stories.

Susu Abdo - if ever there was a song that deserved the term "haunting" that is it! It's beautiful and so is your dance. I especially liked the ending. I think this song may be above my capability though. I'll have to listen to it a few more times.

"Especially on their Edgar Allen Poe CD. I can't remember the actually name of it, but all the songs are based on Poe stories. " Oh, I love Edgar Allan Poe stories - I'll have to find this and check it out.

Keep the ideas coming!

Originally Posted by Sariah

Nox Arcana has some great songs. Especially on their Edgar Allen Poe CD. I can't remember the actually name of it, but all the songs are based on Poe stories.

Thank you Sariah!!!! I think I found the CD - it's called Death Sweet Embrace. It is great! I found one song called "Nevermore" that is really good. I can even picture the costume - jet black, black veil, and beaked mask to represent the Raven.

But I'm not 100% decided yet so keep the ideas coming. (That's my problem - I just can't decide)

You're welcome! And good luck choosing something! It can be so hard picking just one idea!

Originally Posted by JennivereMarjeta

Susu Abdo - if ever there was a song that deserved the term "haunting" that is it! It's beautiful and so is your dance. I especially liked the ending. I think this song may be above my capability though. I'll have to listen to it a few more times.

"Especially on their Edgar Allen Poe CD. I can't remember the actually name of it, but all the songs are based on Poe stories. " Oh, I love Edgar Allan Poe stories - I'll have to find this and check it out.

Keep the ideas coming!

Glad you liked it!!! It is very moving. Thanks for the compliment on the dance too! That was from our Hips oh My show with Princess Farhana. That shot of us doing the Shamadan number is in her movie Underbelly. I think you could do a lovely veil piece with that. Good luck.

Hall of the Mountain King. It's classical music. If I recall correctly, it's from Peer Gynt.

Originally Posted by *Shira*

Hall of the Mountain King. It's classical music. If I recall correctly, it's from Peer Gynt.

Ooh, I like this one too. Decisions, Decisions, Decisions.

I'm giving myself until Monday to decide - then I just have to make a decision and stick with it - I've been at this for 2 months now already. Check back on Monday to see what the winner is - more ideas welcome until then.

David Alan Bachman does a beautiful version of Miserlou that is haunting in a beautiful way.

Look for Lisa Gerrard (from Gladiator) singing...lots from Dead Can Dance...

A few good choices: Sanvean, The Lotus Eaters or Host of Seraphim

Very moody..all have a different sense of haunting ..g.:

Originally Posted by *Shira*

Hall of the Mountain King. It's classical music. If I recall correctly, it's from Peer Gynt.

Good one Shira, and yes it is from the Peer Gynt Suite by Evard Grieg.
That is a really good one, you have me thinking now!! I am inspired. ..g.:

I like Nox arcana too..I danced to Highland storm at the halloween show his year

[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=696EXznzVns]YouTube - Amara- Isis Wings[/ame]

and Requiem for the Tower (Lux Aterna) last year

[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=074IEmvPGV8]YouTube - Amara Haflaween 2007[/ame]

OMG! Your Amara Haflaween performance is incredible!!!! I love everything about it! Your costume is gorgeous - where did you find that veil?

I know I can't live up to this but it gives me something to aspire to.

You too sweet..thanks....that was my "ghetto" costume I constructed...LOL...I made a simple black skirt w/ stretch velvet...I had on a regular black bra and used fishnet stockings to make the top ...the veil was handmade by my good friend Audra...she is also on bhuz. she makes gorgeous veils!!!
That performance was all improv so I know it isnt perfect..but I loved the song so much..I really wanted to use it.

Ok, I've made my decision and yes it is final (until I change my mind again). ..l;,

Thank you all for your wonderful suggestions. Now I know where to go the next time I need a song.

I've decided to use Nox Arcana's Nevermore. I edited it a bit - moved the narrative to the beginning to set the stage and cut out the last 2 minutes (it was over 6 minutes in the original format - too long for our show). When I played it for one of the ladies in our troupe, she asked if we could make it a duet. After listening to it a few dozen times, we came up with the idea of a "life vs death struggle" theme. Imagine one in white and one in black playing off each other throughout the dance. I'd post the music but I don't know how.

Anyways, after the holidays it will be time for the real work to begin. We need to choregraph it, get costumes together and practice, practice, practice. I know to all of you, 10 months sounds like plenty of time but we've only been dancing a little over a year so this is major for us. Wish us luck.

Again, thank you everyone for your ideas and support.