The “models”behind Ravel’s choreographic poem La Valse were Johann Strauss' Waltzes.The composer's original“imitation”elevated this genre of 19th-century commercial music into a classic work with unique personality in the early 20th century.By examining and analyzing the connections between Ravel's La Valse and the “models” in terms of musical structure,thematic materials,harmonic techniques,and overall design, this article explores how Ravel realized the “apotheosis”of the Viennese Waltz while also“demonized”it into a “fantastic,fatal spiral.”