Patt and I recorded this very lush waltz during Episode No. 108 of the Big Fiddle Show on August 13, 2021.
Several years ago, when we were at the big fiddle festival in Pembroke, ON, Jacquelin Guerette—a friend and my favorite fiddler from Quebec—played a beautiful melody he called Valse Bleue (“Blue Waltz”). It was very atypical of most fiddlers’ waltzes, with dreamy and colorful harmony and phrasing that suggested listening rather than dancing. The tune feels atmospheric and rambling rather than headed toward a firm resolution.
I investigated further and learned that the piece was composed for solo piano in 1899, during the fin-de-siècle (“turn of the century”). It fits perfectly with that era. In the late 1800s many middle-class families in Europe and North America could afford to own a piano, and there was a boom in publishing accessible light classical music suitable for playing for family and friends in a Midwestern parlor or a Parisian salon. This piece fits that purpose beautifully.
The musical character of the piece incorporates nostalgic elements typical of music from the end of the 19th century. It’s a bit melancholy and certainly evocative of the mood of that era.
Give a listen to the piano version below. The fiddlers’ version leaves out a part or two, as you’ll hear.
You can download the score at https://imslp.org/wiki/Valse_bleue_(Margis,_Alfred.
The version on this popular recording by Andy DeJarlis could very well be the prime source for the tune in the world of Canadian fiddlers—and ultimately the source of the version I learned.
I took a stab at transcribing Valse Bleue. Compliments to Patt for figuring out the chords. Enjoy.
Patt & Possum Upcoming Appearances
March 9 - Chicago Barn Dance Company with Hillbilly Diaspora
March 20 - Urbana Contra Dance with Robin Kearton and Tom Faux
March 21 - Capital City Contra Dance in Springfield (IL) with Aaron Albrecht
Recent Patreon Posts
Join My Patreon for Free
Free members at patreon.com/charliewalden get invited to Zoom jams and have access to numerous video lessons - all for free. Of course paid subscribers have access to over 300 fiddle, mandolin and guitar back-up lessons plus an incredible online resource folder with over 700 tune transcriptions and more. New lessons posted fortnightly.
Sign up for a free two-month trial membership with the link below.
Fiddle, Mandolin & Guitar Lessons via Zoom
A place has been reserved especially for you in Possum’s Zoom Lesson Room. Give a shout to bigfiddleshow@gmail.com and let’s get together.
Become a paid subscriber to my Substack and get some extra perks.
$5 per month ($50 per year) - You’ll have access to all posts to enjoy, share and comment. You’ll also receive a curated PDF mini-tunebook delivered twice per year via paid-sub only post.
$80 per year - Join the Catgut Confederacy - You’ll get all the bennies of free and basic paid subscriptions plus you’ll receive a curated PDF tunebook with MP3 files when you join at this level.
Share and Share Alike
How about sharing this post with a pal? Use the button below. Sooo EZ!