Bartók’s The Miraculous Mandarin—conceived as a stage pantomime—tells a lurid tale of seduction and murder with striking effects, including a sinuous clarinet solo that introduces seduction scenes and an eerie wordless chorus as the mandarin’s body emits a greenish-blue light. The composer's Concerto for Orchestra’s vibrant color, harmonic daring, and sheer virtuosity make it one of his most popular works and one of the great orchestral showpieces.