Moins vif ("less lively" or "slower than before") – Tempo Io ("at the initial tempo"). This piece is in a three-part form with an 18-measure introduction: A (measures 19-66), B (measure 66, beat 1.5 - measure 110), and A' (measures 111-158). It is the largest in scale and most brilliant waltz among the eight pieces. Ravel himself stated that this piece is the most characteristic. While the tonality is clear in sections A and A', it would be beneficial to perform while carefully listening for the chromatic progressions. In the middle section, the writing changes, creating a flowing impression, and similarities to Chopin's waltzes have also been noted.