Valse Triste

The waltz as a musical form evolved from various Renaissance and Baroque sliding or gliding dance forms and encompassed peasant country folk dances of Central Europe. The classical waltz in which partners were held closely and whirled around the dance floor was first described in the mid-eighteenth century in Bohemia and Bavaria. Johann Strauss Jr introduced an anticipation type of rhythm in which the second beat of the measure was sounded making the third beat late resulting in more of a two-step waltz. The waltz became popular in Vienna around 1780 where it became widespread throughout Europe due to the influence of the Hapsburg court.

The composer’s waltz style follows that of Chopin in general format with the main theme based in the tonic key, modulating to a secondary theme in the dominant key followed by one or more transitional passages in a related minor key before returning to the main and secondary themes, ending on the tonic. Chopin waltzes were more salon pieces rather than considered Viennese in style and use. The symphonic waltz style achieved it pinnacle with the waltzes and ballets of Tschaikowsky.

Like the Valse Triste of Sibelius, the Opus 26 Valse Triste has been conceived as a dance of a mother with her dead infant. The waltz has a syncopated and halting melody and rhythm reflecting this tone image. The primary key is D minor which modulates to F Major, B♭ Major, and G minor with return to D minor.

The composition was generated from 20 December 2014 through 15 March 2015.