This is a collection of piano miniatures that Milhaud dedicated to a family of friends with whom he had close ties. It is also known by Japanese titles such as “The Welcome of Friends,” “Kind Hospitality,” and “Intimate Welcome.” The current Heugel edition is trilingual (French, English, Japanese) and includes a Japanese translation of the preface by “M. M.,” Milhaud’s wife Madeleine Milhaud, making the circumstances surrounding the creation of this work easily understandable to Japanese readers. However, for contemporary readers, some explanation may be required regarding the identity of Milhaud’s friend Pierre Claudel and the social standing of his family in America at that time.Pierre Claudel was the eldest son of the diplomat and poet Paul Claudel. As is well known, Paul’s elder sister was the sculptor Camille Claudel, and the Claudel family was a distinguished French family that produced artists for generations. In 1933, Pierre Claudel married Marion Cartier, daughter of the founding family of Cartier, renowned for its luxury jewelry, in America. The union of this prominent couple became global news at the time. Pierre, who also possessed business acumen, participated in the management of Cartier, and the Pierre family, blessed with one son and five daughters, became known as one of America’s foremost celebrities.

Milhaud, naturally close to Pierre due to his long-standing friendship with Paul Claudel, wrote a short piano piece for each member of the family when he visited the Pierre family in New York at the end of 1943. Subsequently, as the youngest child was born or as the children reached developmental milestones (akin to Japan’s Shichi-Go-San festival), additional pieces were composed. It is also interesting to trace how the number of pieces gradually increased, with the year of composition clearly indicated for each. Some pieces are particularly simple and suitable for beginner lessons. Not only are there pieces for children, but there are also serious adult pieces depicting Pierre, who delved into the Bible, and Marion (who adopted the name Marion Cartier Claudel after marriage), who possessed artistic talent. Marion’s illustrations were incorporated into the published score. In 2017, Violaine Bonzon Claudel, the eldest daughter of Pierre and Marion, published an art book (L’accueil amical : Aquarelles de Marion Cartier Claudel et partitions de Darius Milhaud, Editions Bleulefit, 2017) featuring a watercolor painting by her mother Marion accompanying each of Milhaud’s autograph scores for this work. Violaine is also a researcher of her great-aunt, Camille Claudel. The warm emotional exchange that Milhaud shared with the Claudel family continues to radiate a vivid brilliance, undiminished even after 70 years.

• No. 1 Pyjama Rouge (Red Pajamas). 3/4 time, F major (no key signature; same applies below). Mélodieux (Melodious). January 1944.
• No. 2 Bonjour Violaine (Hello Violaine). 6/8 time, F major. Souple (Supple). December 24, 1943, in New York.
• No. 3 Pyjama Bleu (Blue Pajamas). 2/4 time, C major. Allègre (Lively). 1944.
• No. 4 Bonjour Dominique (Hello Dominique). 2/4 time, C major. Tranquille (Tranquil). December 24, 1943, in New York.
• No. 5 Elma Joue (Elma Plays). 2/4 time, C major. Alerte (Lively). 1944.
• No. 6 Marie dort (Marie Sleeps). 2/4 time, C major. Lent (Slow). January 3, 1944.
• No. 7 La nouvelle dent (The New Tooth). 2/4 time, C major. Modéré (Moderate). April 24, 1944, at Mills, 4 years after exile.
• No. 8 Mademoiselle No 5 (Miss No. 5). 5/4 time, E-flat major. Très décidé (Very decisive). February 9, 1947.
• No. 9 Bonjour Philippine! (Hello Philippine!). 2/4 time, C major. Très vite s’il vous plaît (Very fast, please). 1944.
• No. 10 Pierre écrit des commentaires (Pierre Writes Comments). 3/4 time, C minor. Lent et grave (Slow and grave). 1944, in the car on the way to Chicago.
• No. 11 Marion peint (Marion Paints). 6/8 time, F major. Calmement (Calmly). 1944, in the car on the way to Chicago.
• No. 12 La Récrétion (Recreation). 3/4 time, D major. Sans hâte (Without haste). January 25, 1945.
• No. 13 La douce hospitalité, les chers amis (Sweet Hospitality, Dear Friends). 6/8 time, A-flat major. Lent (Slow). 1944, in the car on the way to Chicago.
• No. 14 Colin Maillard (Blind Man’s Buff). 4/4 time, G major. Aussi vite que possible (As fast as possible). January 25, 1945.
• No. 15 Petit Pierre est arrivé un beau jour d’été (Little Pierre Arrived on a Beautiful Summer Day). 3/4 time, C major. Modéré (Moderate). August 16, 1948, at Long Meadow Farm.
• No. 16 Les dragées du Baptême 15 Août 1948 (Baptismal Dragees August 15, 1948). 2/4 time, E-flat major. Vif (Lively). August 16, 1948, Grand Prairie, Texas.
• No. 17 Lettre de Château (Letter from the Château). 3/4 time, C major. Solennel (Solemn). 1944, in the car on the way to Chicago.