The Valses nobles et sentimentales is a suite of waltzes composed by Maurice Ravel. The piano version was published in 1911, and an orchestral version was published in 1912. The title was chosen in homage to Franz Schubert, who had released collections of waltzes in 1823 entitled Valses nobles and Valses sentimentales. The piano edition is published with a quotation of Henri de Régnier: "…le plaisir délicieux et toujours nouveau d'une occupation inutile" (the delicious and forever-new pleasure of a useless occupation).
The suite contains an eclectic blend of Impressionist and Modernist music, which is especially evident in the orchestrated version.
Composition and background
Ravel was intrigued by the waltz genre. By 1906 he had started composing what later would become La valse, in which he tried to epitomise everything this popular genre encompassed. In 1911, prior to the 1919 publication of La valse, he published the piano version of his suite of eight Valses nobles et sentimentales. The work was first performed on May 8, 1911 by Louis Aubert, to whom the work is dedicated, at a performance of new works where the composers were not identified. It was sponsored by the Société Musicale Indépendante, to promote the works of more adventurous composers, without "burdening" critics with the attached labels of authorship. This was in theory supposed to encourage the critics to evaluate what they actually heard rather than simply judging the piece by the name of the composer. The anonymous work generated a disturbing chorus of boos and cat calls. Many were unnerved by the acerbic harmonic palette that he employed. Some even thought the piece was a parody. When the votes were tallied, the nominated composers included Erik Satie, Charles Koechlin, Vincent d'Indy and even Zoltán Kodály, but "a minute majority," Ravel recalled, "ascribed the paternity of the Valses to me."
Franz Schubert wrote about a hundred waltzes for piano solo. Particularly well known among these are two named collections, the 34 Valses Sentimentales (Op. 50, D. 779) and the 12 Valses Nobles (Op. 77, D. 969).
Composition history and background
Schubert's piano music was slow in taking its place in the standard repertoire of piano literature. Until the early 20th century his vast piano solo production was often criticized for being salon music.
The Valses Sentimentales were written in 1823, and the Valses Nobles are believed to have been written in 1827, the year before Schubert's death, although the manuscript is undated.
Ravel: Valses nobles et sentimentales, M.61 - 3. Modéré
Provided to YouTube by Universal Music Group
Ravel: Valses nobles et sentimentales, M.61 - 3. Modéré · Boston Symphony Orchestra · Seiji Ozawa
Ravel: Alborada del Gracioso; La Valse; Rhapsodie Espagnole etc.
℗ 1975 Deutsche Grammophon GmbH, Berlin
Released on: 2000-01-01
Producer: Thomas Mowrey
Studio Personnel, Balance Engineer: Hans-Peter Schweigmann
Composer: Maurice Ravel
Auto-generated by YouTube.
published: 31 Jul 2018
Ravel: Valses nobles et sentimentales, M.61 - 2. Assez lent - avec une expression intense
Provided to YouTube by Universal Music Group
Ravel: Valses nobles et sentimentales, M.61 - 2. Assez lent - avec une expression intense · Boston Symphony Orchestra · Seiji Ozawa
Ravel: Alborada del Gracioso; La Valse; Rhapsodie Espagnole etc.
℗ 1975 Deutsche Grammophon GmbH, Berlin
Released on: 2000-01-01
Producer: Thomas Mowrey
Studio Personnel, Balance Engineer: Hans-Peter Schweigmann
Composer: Maurice Ravel
Auto-generated by YouTube.
published: 31 Jul 2018
Ravel: Valses nobles et sentimentales, M.61 - 6. Assez vif
Provided to YouTube by Universal Music Group
Ravel: Valses nobles et sentimentales, M.61 - 6. Assez vif · Boston Symphony Orchestra · Seiji Ozawa
Ravel: Alborada del Gracioso; La Valse; Rhapsodie Espagnole etc.
℗ 1975 Deutsche Grammophon GmbH, Berlin
Released on: 2000-01-01
Producer: Thomas Mowrey
Studio Personnel, Balance Engineer: Hans-Peter Schweigmann
Composer: Maurice Ravel
Auto-generated by YouTube.
published: 31 Jul 2018
Ravel: Valses nobles et sentimentales, M.61 - 7. Moins vif
Provided to YouTube by Universal Music Group
Ravel: Valses nobles et sentimentales, M.61 - 7. Moins vif · Boston Symphony Orchestra · Seiji Ozawa
Ravel: Alborada del Gracioso; La Valse; Rhapsodie Espagnole etc.
℗ 1975 Deutsche Grammophon GmbH, Berlin
Released on: 2000-01-01
Producer: Thomas Mowrey
Studio Personnel, Balance Engineer: Hans-Peter Schweigmann
Composer: Maurice Ravel
Auto-generated by YouTube.
published: 31 Jul 2018
Ravel: Boléro, M.81 (Excerpt)
Provided to YouTube by Universal Music Group
Ravel: Boléro, M.81 (Excerpt) · Boston Symphony Orchestra · Seiji Ozawa
The 101 Most Essential Classical Music Pieces Ever
℗ 1974 Deutsche Grammophon GmbH, Berlin
Released on: 2012-01-01
Producer, Recording Producer: Thomas Mowrey
Studio Personnel, Production Coordinator: Franz Christian Wulff
Studio Personnel, Balance Engineer: Joachim Niss
Studio Personnel, Balance Engineer: Gernot Westhaeuser
Composer: Maurice Ravel
Auto-generated by YouTube.
Provided to YouTube by Universal Music Group
Ravel: Valses nobles et sentimentales, M.61 - 3. Modéré · Boston Symphony Orchestra · Seiji Ozawa
Ravel: Alborada...
Provided to YouTube by Universal Music Group
Ravel: Valses nobles et sentimentales, M.61 - 3. Modéré · Boston Symphony Orchestra · Seiji Ozawa
Ravel: Alborada del Gracioso; La Valse; Rhapsodie Espagnole etc.
℗ 1975 Deutsche Grammophon GmbH, Berlin
Released on: 2000-01-01
Producer: Thomas Mowrey
Studio Personnel, Balance Engineer: Hans-Peter Schweigmann
Composer: Maurice Ravel
Auto-generated by YouTube.
Provided to YouTube by Universal Music Group
Ravel: Valses nobles et sentimentales, M.61 - 3. Modéré · Boston Symphony Orchestra · Seiji Ozawa
Ravel: Alborada del Gracioso; La Valse; Rhapsodie Espagnole etc.
℗ 1975 Deutsche Grammophon GmbH, Berlin
Released on: 2000-01-01
Producer: Thomas Mowrey
Studio Personnel, Balance Engineer: Hans-Peter Schweigmann
Composer: Maurice Ravel
Auto-generated by YouTube.
Provided to YouTube by Universal Music Group
Ravel: Valses nobles et sentimentales, M.61 - 2. Assez lent - avec une expression intense · Boston Symphony Orches...
Provided to YouTube by Universal Music Group
Ravel: Valses nobles et sentimentales, M.61 - 2. Assez lent - avec une expression intense · Boston Symphony Orchestra · Seiji Ozawa
Ravel: Alborada del Gracioso; La Valse; Rhapsodie Espagnole etc.
℗ 1975 Deutsche Grammophon GmbH, Berlin
Released on: 2000-01-01
Producer: Thomas Mowrey
Studio Personnel, Balance Engineer: Hans-Peter Schweigmann
Composer: Maurice Ravel
Auto-generated by YouTube.
Provided to YouTube by Universal Music Group
Ravel: Valses nobles et sentimentales, M.61 - 2. Assez lent - avec une expression intense · Boston Symphony Orchestra · Seiji Ozawa
Ravel: Alborada del Gracioso; La Valse; Rhapsodie Espagnole etc.
℗ 1975 Deutsche Grammophon GmbH, Berlin
Released on: 2000-01-01
Producer: Thomas Mowrey
Studio Personnel, Balance Engineer: Hans-Peter Schweigmann
Composer: Maurice Ravel
Auto-generated by YouTube.
Provided to YouTube by Universal Music Group
Ravel: Valses nobles et sentimentales, M.61 - 6. Assez vif · Boston Symphony Orchestra · Seiji Ozawa
Ravel: Albor...
Provided to YouTube by Universal Music Group
Ravel: Valses nobles et sentimentales, M.61 - 6. Assez vif · Boston Symphony Orchestra · Seiji Ozawa
Ravel: Alborada del Gracioso; La Valse; Rhapsodie Espagnole etc.
℗ 1975 Deutsche Grammophon GmbH, Berlin
Released on: 2000-01-01
Producer: Thomas Mowrey
Studio Personnel, Balance Engineer: Hans-Peter Schweigmann
Composer: Maurice Ravel
Auto-generated by YouTube.
Provided to YouTube by Universal Music Group
Ravel: Valses nobles et sentimentales, M.61 - 6. Assez vif · Boston Symphony Orchestra · Seiji Ozawa
Ravel: Alborada del Gracioso; La Valse; Rhapsodie Espagnole etc.
℗ 1975 Deutsche Grammophon GmbH, Berlin
Released on: 2000-01-01
Producer: Thomas Mowrey
Studio Personnel, Balance Engineer: Hans-Peter Schweigmann
Composer: Maurice Ravel
Auto-generated by YouTube.
Provided to YouTube by Universal Music Group
Ravel: Valses nobles et sentimentales, M.61 - 7. Moins vif · Boston Symphony Orchestra · Seiji Ozawa
Ravel: Albor...
Provided to YouTube by Universal Music Group
Ravel: Valses nobles et sentimentales, M.61 - 7. Moins vif · Boston Symphony Orchestra · Seiji Ozawa
Ravel: Alborada del Gracioso; La Valse; Rhapsodie Espagnole etc.
℗ 1975 Deutsche Grammophon GmbH, Berlin
Released on: 2000-01-01
Producer: Thomas Mowrey
Studio Personnel, Balance Engineer: Hans-Peter Schweigmann
Composer: Maurice Ravel
Auto-generated by YouTube.
Provided to YouTube by Universal Music Group
Ravel: Valses nobles et sentimentales, M.61 - 7. Moins vif · Boston Symphony Orchestra · Seiji Ozawa
Ravel: Alborada del Gracioso; La Valse; Rhapsodie Espagnole etc.
℗ 1975 Deutsche Grammophon GmbH, Berlin
Released on: 2000-01-01
Producer: Thomas Mowrey
Studio Personnel, Balance Engineer: Hans-Peter Schweigmann
Composer: Maurice Ravel
Auto-generated by YouTube.
Provided to YouTube by Universal Music Group
Ravel: Boléro, M.81 (Excerpt) · Boston Symphony Orchestra · Seiji Ozawa
The 101 Most Essential Classical Music Pi...
Provided to YouTube by Universal Music Group
Ravel: Boléro, M.81 (Excerpt) · Boston Symphony Orchestra · Seiji Ozawa
The 101 Most Essential Classical Music Pieces Ever
℗ 1974 Deutsche Grammophon GmbH, Berlin
Released on: 2012-01-01
Producer, Recording Producer: Thomas Mowrey
Studio Personnel, Production Coordinator: Franz Christian Wulff
Studio Personnel, Balance Engineer: Joachim Niss
Studio Personnel, Balance Engineer: Gernot Westhaeuser
Composer: Maurice Ravel
Auto-generated by YouTube.
Provided to YouTube by Universal Music Group
Ravel: Boléro, M.81 (Excerpt) · Boston Symphony Orchestra · Seiji Ozawa
The 101 Most Essential Classical Music Pieces Ever
℗ 1974 Deutsche Grammophon GmbH, Berlin
Released on: 2012-01-01
Producer, Recording Producer: Thomas Mowrey
Studio Personnel, Production Coordinator: Franz Christian Wulff
Studio Personnel, Balance Engineer: Joachim Niss
Studio Personnel, Balance Engineer: Gernot Westhaeuser
Composer: Maurice Ravel
Auto-generated by YouTube.
Provided to YouTube by Universal Music Group
Ravel: Valses nobles et sentimentales, M.61 - 3. Modéré · Boston Symphony Orchestra · Seiji Ozawa
Ravel: Alborada del Gracioso; La Valse; Rhapsodie Espagnole etc.
℗ 1975 Deutsche Grammophon GmbH, Berlin
Released on: 2000-01-01
Producer: Thomas Mowrey
Studio Personnel, Balance Engineer: Hans-Peter Schweigmann
Composer: Maurice Ravel
Auto-generated by YouTube.
Provided to YouTube by Universal Music Group
Ravel: Valses nobles et sentimentales, M.61 - 2. Assez lent - avec une expression intense · Boston Symphony Orchestra · Seiji Ozawa
Ravel: Alborada del Gracioso; La Valse; Rhapsodie Espagnole etc.
℗ 1975 Deutsche Grammophon GmbH, Berlin
Released on: 2000-01-01
Producer: Thomas Mowrey
Studio Personnel, Balance Engineer: Hans-Peter Schweigmann
Composer: Maurice Ravel
Auto-generated by YouTube.
Provided to YouTube by Universal Music Group
Ravel: Valses nobles et sentimentales, M.61 - 6. Assez vif · Boston Symphony Orchestra · Seiji Ozawa
Ravel: Alborada del Gracioso; La Valse; Rhapsodie Espagnole etc.
℗ 1975 Deutsche Grammophon GmbH, Berlin
Released on: 2000-01-01
Producer: Thomas Mowrey
Studio Personnel, Balance Engineer: Hans-Peter Schweigmann
Composer: Maurice Ravel
Auto-generated by YouTube.
Provided to YouTube by Universal Music Group
Ravel: Valses nobles et sentimentales, M.61 - 7. Moins vif · Boston Symphony Orchestra · Seiji Ozawa
Ravel: Alborada del Gracioso; La Valse; Rhapsodie Espagnole etc.
℗ 1975 Deutsche Grammophon GmbH, Berlin
Released on: 2000-01-01
Producer: Thomas Mowrey
Studio Personnel, Balance Engineer: Hans-Peter Schweigmann
Composer: Maurice Ravel
Auto-generated by YouTube.
Provided to YouTube by Universal Music Group
Ravel: Boléro, M.81 (Excerpt) · Boston Symphony Orchestra · Seiji Ozawa
The 101 Most Essential Classical Music Pieces Ever
℗ 1974 Deutsche Grammophon GmbH, Berlin
Released on: 2012-01-01
Producer, Recording Producer: Thomas Mowrey
Studio Personnel, Production Coordinator: Franz Christian Wulff
Studio Personnel, Balance Engineer: Joachim Niss
Studio Personnel, Balance Engineer: Gernot Westhaeuser
Composer: Maurice Ravel
Auto-generated by YouTube.
The Valses nobles et sentimentales is a suite of waltzes composed by Maurice Ravel. The piano version was published in 1911, and an orchestral version was published in 1912. The title was chosen in homage to Franz Schubert, who had released collections of waltzes in 1823 entitled Valses nobles and Valses sentimentales. The piano edition is published with a quotation of Henri de Régnier: "…le plaisir délicieux et toujours nouveau d'une occupation inutile" (the delicious and forever-new pleasure of a useless occupation).
The suite contains an eclectic blend of Impressionist and Modernist music, which is especially evident in the orchestrated version.
Composition and background
Ravel was intrigued by the waltz genre. By 1906 he had started composing what later would become La valse, in which he tried to epitomise everything this popular genre encompassed. In 1911, prior to the 1919 publication of La valse, he published the piano version of his suite of eight Valses nobles et sentimentales. The work was first performed on May 8, 1911 by Louis Aubert, to whom the work is dedicated, at a performance of new works where the composers were not identified. It was sponsored by the Société Musicale Indépendante, to promote the works of more adventurous composers, without "burdening" critics with the attached labels of authorship. This was in theory supposed to encourage the critics to evaluate what they actually heard rather than simply judging the piece by the name of the composer. The anonymous work generated a disturbing chorus of boos and cat calls. Many were unnerved by the acerbic harmonic palette that he employed. Some even thought the piece was a parody. When the votes were tallied, the nominated composers included Erik Satie, Charles Koechlin, Vincent d'Indy and even Zoltán Kodály, but "a minute majority," Ravel recalled, "ascribed the paternity of the Valses to me."