Work Overview

• Publication Year: 1920
• Original Publisher: Sirène (later Max Eschig)
• Instrumentation: Piano solo
• Total Performance Time: Approximately 6 minutes (1.5 to 3 minutes per piece)

Comprising two sets of three pieces each, Printemps (Spring) is one of Milhaud's representative early piano works. Its composition period spans before and after his stay in Brazil, coinciding with the time Milhaud established his creative approach. The transparent, concise writing and the use of polytonality became the core of Milhaud's style during the 'Les Six' period. Paul Collaer, a critic and lifelong friend of Milhaud, discussed the work's youthfulness, freshness, and directness by drawing parallels to Mendelssohn's Songs Without Words. Jean Roy, Milhaud's biographer, while perceiving the delicate interplay of light and green, and the subtle fluctuations of everyday emotions, strongly denied any impressionistic descriptiveness.

The premiere took place in 1920 (date unknown) at a Matinée Dada concert in Paris, performed by Marcelle Meyer (1897-1958). Meyer, who had already gained high renown at a young age, was close to the members of Les Six of her generation and played a spokesperson-like role through her energetic performances during their heyday. Milhaud himself was fond of this work and recorded it on an SP record (1930) (movements 1, 2, and 4). It is also noteworthy that renowned masters of yesteryear, such as Jacques Février, Christian Ivaldi, and William Bolcom, have each left excellent recordings.

Movement 1: Modéré (Moderately)

6/8 time. Completed on June 1, 1915, in Paris. Dedicated to Jeanne Herscher-Clément (composer and pianist).

Movement 2: Souple (Supplely)

12/8 time. Completed on September 18, 1917, in Rio de Janeiro. Dedicated to Nininha Velloso-Guerra (pianist).

Movement 3: Doucement (Sweetly)

6/8 time. Completed on January 1, 1919, in Pointe-à-Pitre (French Guadeloupe). Dedicated to Nininha Velloso-Guerra (pianist).