La Valse in Full Score

Ravel originally conceived of his "choreographic poem" "La Valse" (The Waltz) as a tribute to Johann Strauss and "a sort of apotheosis of the Viennese waltz." But this is a waltz far removed from the urbane gaiety of old Vienna. A masterpiece of lush and brilliant orchestration, it is a work of considerable emotional depth in which the initial series of elegant waltzes are transformed into what Ravel describes as "a fantastic and fatal whirling" loading to a powerful, turbulent climax.

Now musicians, music students, conductors any music lover can study "La Valse" in this high-quality edition, reproduced from the authoritative Durand original.

"