Work Overview

• Publication Year: 1910
• First Publisher: Jobert
• Instrumentation: Piano four-hands
• Total Performance Time: 4 minutes 30 seconds (each piece 40-60 seconds)

Written and published in the same year, when she was 18, this work became Tailleferre's memorable first published piece. It is dedicated to the two daughters of the Kerveguen family (Marie et Thérèse de Kerveguen). Even within its simple writing style, suitable for children, it reveals glimpses of a great talent, shining with exceptional sensibility in melody, harmony, and contrapuntal treatment. Alongside Poulenc, who wrote Trois mouvements perpétuels at 18, and Auric, who published songs at 15, Tailleferre was also a young person blessed with precocious talent. She later recalled that, despite achieving excellent grades at the Paris Conservatoire where she was then studying, she attended classes discreetly with the help of her mother and sister, fearing her estranged father.

The published score of this work listed the composer as “G. Tailleferre.” In my opinion, this designation in 1910 was merely a pseudonym to obscure her real name, Taillefesse, and to avoid revealing her gender, as many female composers did until the 19th century. The full name “Germaine Tailleferre” did not appear on published scores until Jeux de plein air (for two pianos, 1919), which was released after World War I and following the death of her estranged father. In this sense, where her identity aligned with her pseudonym, Jeux de plein air could be considered her true breakthrough work.

It bears the subtitle Pièces faciles à 4 mains (Easy Pieces for Four Hands), making it accessible for learners at introductory to foundational levels to tackle without difficulty. The coordination between both parts is meticulously considered, offering significant educational benefits as an introduction to ensemble playing. Due to the well-managed changes in musical character and overall coherence, its applications range widely from daily lessons to formal concerts. In addition to Hajimete no Otegara (First Achievement), several other Japanese titles are seen, such as Saisho no Igyō (First Great Work) and Saisho no Otegara (First Achievement).

• Pas trop vite (Not too fast), 4/4 time, C major.
• Moderato, 4/4 time, G major.
• Allegretto, 3/4 time, A minor.
• Allegro non troppo, 2/4 time, F major.
• A poco lento (A little slow), 3/4 time, D minor. Continues to the 6th piece with a half cadence.
• Con moto (With movement), 6/8 time, G major.