La valse

La Valse was written by Maurice Ravel in Feburary 1906 after Ravel's return from World War 1. This piece, although commonly refered to as being a tribute to the Waltz, is actually the exact opposite. La Valse was written to demonstrate the demise of Austrian and German culture that led up to the War because of the neglect of the noblemen and wealthy aristocrats for their countries and its citizens. This piece was a choreographic, although first conceived as a symphonic poem. It is not performed as a ballet anymore however, yet its incredible texture and sound are one of the things that makes this piece so enjoyable and it demonstrates very effectively the capability of Ravel and his orchestrative excellence and power. The piece was to be imagined as : "Through whirling clouds, waltzing couples may be faintly distinguished. The clouds gradually scatter: one sees at letter A an immense hall peopled with a whirling crowd. The scene is gradually illuminated. The light of the chandeliers bursts forth at the fortissimo letter B. Set in an imperial court, about 1855." by Ravel. The first half of the piece is a series of whirling and beautiful waltzes which eventually lead back to the beginning and the clouds re-enter. Again they clear, however this time the waltz is different. It should be noted that every waltz that was introduced in the first section is re-introduced although differently in the second half. The unstoppable whirling continues and by the end the piece, it is bizarre. Finally we see why Ravel described this as the fatal whirling.

Later, a piano transcription was written which is said to be one of the most challenging pieces for piano ever written.

Bibliography

Ravel : Man and Musician by Arbie Orensten published 1968 by Columbia University Press