The composer, Joseph Hellmesberger, lived in thesecond half of the 19th century and composedlight music and operetta. Included in his outputwere a variety of dances and Danse Diabolique issuch an exciting piece, with an energetic waltz atits heart. The use of the Phrygian mode (D-Eb-F-GA-Bb-C) engenders a devil-like atmosphere andadds spice to the composition.