Description 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. Songlist La Valse
