Ravel originally conceived of his "choreographic poem" La Valse as a tribute to Johann Strauss. 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" leading to a powerful, turbulent climax. Full score edition.
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