Early in his career, Sibelius was particularly interested in folk material of his native Finland or other Scandinavian cultures. The play Kuolema (which means "Death" in Finnish) was the work of Sibelius's brother-in-law, Arvid Järnefelt. Sibelius wrote several pieces of music which were to accompany performances of the play, but most of the music was never published; today, only this melancholy dance (the title translates merely into "sad waltz") remains in the repertoire. The Valse Triste accompanies the scene in which the principal character of the play is at the bedside of his dying mother. She tells him that she is dreaming of attending a ball. She is still experiencing this dream when Death comes for her, and, mistaking the dark figure for her departed husband, she initiates a dance with him.
Even in such a brief work, Sibelius projects a wide range of emotions; even with a small orchestra (besides the string section, the piece calls for only four wind instruments), the composer achieves great variety in instrumental color. After isolated bass pizzicati set the mood, the first waltz tune is presented by the violins and cellos. Contrasting waltzes make their appearances, but the original melody (sometimes only fragments of it) keeps returning. As the piece builds up more and more rhythmic energy, a more affirmative character tries to establish itself, but the original melody takes over one more time, now struggling to be heard against the tempestuous rumblings in the rest of the orchestra. The piece ends in eerie calm.