Sibelius: Valse triste

Valse triste (Sad Waltz), Opus 44, Number 1, is a short orchestral work by Jean Sibelius. It was originally part of the incidental music he composed for his brother-in-law Arvid Järnefelt's 1903 play Kuolema (Death), but is best known as a separate concert piece. Sibelius wrote six pieces for a production of Kuolema. The first was titled Tempo di valse lente - Poco risoluto. He later revised the piece and renamed it Valse triste. An instant hit with the public, it remains one of Sibelius's most popular pieces. Several transcriptions for various instruments have been made, including a piano transcription by Sibelius. A brief paraphrase of Valse triste appears at the end of the composer's Seventh Symphony, perhaps to acknowledge the important effect this composition had on Sibelius' career.

Jean Sibelius (1865 - 1957) was a Finnish composer of the late Romantic period. Most well-known for his seven symphonies, his music played an important role in the formation of the Finnish national identity. In addition to the symphonies, his best-known works include Finlandia, the Karelia Suite, Valse triste, the Violin Concerto in D minor, and The Swan of Tuonela (one of the four movements of the Lemminkäinen Suite).