Jean Sibelius composed his Valse Triste, op. 44, in 1903 as part of the incidental music to Arvid Järnefelts drama Kuolema ("Death"). Further items of this incidental music, rather less frequently heard, are the Scene with Cranes, Canzonetta, and Valse Romantique.
Originally for strings, Sibelius later reworked the Valse Triste for full orchestra, in which version it has become one of the composer's most popular works with its distinctive blend of grave nostalgia and wistful sadness. Because of its huge popularity, Sibelius also arranged it for piano and it is this version we present here.
Originally for strings, Sibelius later reworked the Valse Triste for full orchestra, in which version it has become one of the composer's most popular works with its distinctive blend of grave nostalgia and wistful sadness. Because of its huge popularity, Sibelius also arranged it for piano and it is this version we present here.
| Valse Triste | 5:49 | Helling, E. |
