As the Saxophone is commonly associated with the jazz style, classical music for the instrument had always been lacking, so when Paul Bonneau composed his Caprice en forme de Valse for solo Saxophone in 1950, it was well-received by performers and listeners of the genre.

Bonneau's composing was highly versatile, ranging from over fifty film scores, operettas, songs and other pieces for Saxophone, including a concerto. Caprice en forme de Valse, however, was particularly acclaimed for having no accompaniment and for its flexibility to be performed on all members of the Saxophone family. It contains typically French characteristics including chromaticism and difficult technical passages. All these elements combine to make for an enjoyable and challenging piece for saxophonists.