Valse Triste is a ballet choreographed by Peter Martins when he was balletmaster at the New York City Ballet to Sibelius's eponymous waltz as well as the music called Scene with Cranes from his incidental music for the play Kuolema (Death). The crane is a symbol of death in Finnish literature. The premiere took place on May 23, 1985, at the New York State Theater, Lincoln Center, with original lighting by Ronald Bates and current lighting by Mark Stanley. Original cast Patricia McBride Ib Andersen Notes Articles NY Times, Elizabeth Kaye, January 1, 1995 Reviews NY Times, Alastair Macaulay, January 25, 2008 NY Times, Jack Anderson, January 6, 2000 NY Times, Jennifer Dunning, June 22, 1992 New York City Ballet repertory Ballets by Peter Martins 1985 ballet premieres Ballets to the music of Jean Sibelius Ballets designed by Ronald Bates