This thesis focuses on the presentation and dissertationof the creation background of Maurice Ravel’s (1875—1937)“Valses nobles etsentimentales (Noble and sentimental Waltzes)”. Through this piece, this thesis also probes in depth into the origins of Ravel’s waltzes, and compares the differences between waltzes created by other composers. Through these differences, this thesis observes the techniques that Ravel employs on composing piano pieces.This paper discusses and analyses the composition style and interpretation through various angles, so that the performer could understand the connotation of the work’s background as well as the idea of its harmony when playing this piece.

This piece was composed in 1911. An orchestral version was made in 1912. It tells about the sentimental relation between three persons. It was written into ballet music from an orchestral form. Ravel interprets this story through music. The entire piece includes eight waltzes. It is presented as seven waltzes and a finale. The entire piece is played with triple time, and each waltz represents the characteristics of different themes. It has very rich acoustic effects due to its tonality and harmony. It also switches between major and minor tones as well as religious tones, and adds several acciaccaturas in the harmony, and often changes the amount of unharmonious intervals and three two rhythms.

Ravel’s music is elegant, clear, and refined. The music contains lots of selfhood and viewpoints from the self. I will unite my studies into one and interpret that music’s misty beauty.