Sibelius's Valse Triste or Shostakovich's Waltz No.2?

[vers la flamme]

Which of these two famous orchestral waltzes do you prefer? I think it's safe to say that neither of them is totally serious nor generally representative of the style of the composer, but I like them both. Call it a guilty pleasure. If pressed I think I would have to rock with the Shostakovich.

What do you think? Do you like these "bon-bons"? Do you hate them? Most importantly, which do you like better?

[Mirror Image]

What an odd poll.

[Sergeant Rock]

Sibelius

Sarge

[vers la flamme]

What an odd poll.

Do you have any input on the question, or did you just come to the thread to trash my poll? 

[Mirror Image]

Sibelius

Sarge

I have to say I'm with you, Sarge.

[Sergeant Rock]

I have to say I'm with you, Sarge.

I like the Shostakovich...but I love the Sibelius.

Sarge

[Mirror Image]

I like the Shostakovich...but I love the Sibelius.

Sarge

Yep, it's quite a little gem.

[André]

Which of these two famous orchestral waltzes do you prefer? I think it's safe to say that neither of them is totally serious nor generally representative of the style of the composer, but I like them both. Call it a guilty pleasure. If pressed I think I would have to rock with the Shostakovich.

What do you think? Do you like these "bon-bons"? Do you hate them? Most importantly, which do you like better?

Can you provide a link for the Shostakovich work? Comparison will be easier as I think most don't know it.

But for me the choice is easy: I never tire of Valse triste. It's unsinkable.

[Mirror Image]

Can you provide a link for the Shostakovich work? Comparison will be easier as I think most don't know it.

But for me the choice is easy: I never tire of Valse triste. It's unsinkable.

Very good point, Andre.

I'll provide the samples:

Sibelius: Valse triste, Op. 44

https://www.youtube.com/v/Bi4OnSPc3Yc

Shostakovich: Waltz II from the Jazz Suite No. 2

https://www.youtube.com/v/WaKdPgkTZ7M

[André]

The first time I heard the Shosty waltz was when watching a pairs figure skating performance at the World's a dozen years ago. Perfect pacing, perfect timing (just over 3 minutes) for that kind of thing.

[vers la flamme]

Can you provide a link for the Shostakovich work? Comparison will be easier as I think most don't know it.

But for me the choice is easy: I never tire of Valse triste. It's unsinkable.

Really? I was under the impression it was one of Shosty's most well known pieces. I knew it before I ever knew anything about classical music. It's in Eyes Wide Shut.

Y'all may be swaying me to the other side. The Valse Triste is definitely a nice little work.

(@MI, thank you for saving me the trouble of providing samples)

[André]

I think everybody knows the tune, but don't know it's from Shostakovich  .

[Jo498]

Neither. If "serious", I'd prefer La valse by some margin. If "light", I'd prefer lots of Strauss etc. waltzes If in between, I'd rather go with the waltzes from Tchaikowsky Balletts.

[amw]

Third movement of Dvořák's 8th Symphony. For all categories of "serious", "light" and "in between".

I voted for the Shostakovich in this particular head-to-head though.

[some guy]

The Dvorak's a nice piece, to be sure. The whole symphony is, for that matter.

I'm fond of Tchaikovsky's waltz in the sixth. Come on! A waltz in five? What a hoot!!

And, speaking of hoots, surely the hootiest waltz is the one in Nielsen's sixth.