Work Overview

• Publication Year: 1921
• First Publisher: Sirène (later Max Eschig)
• Instrumentation: Piano solo
• Total Performance Time: Approximately 5.5 minutes (1.5 to 2 minutes per piece)

The second collection, written shortly after the first, features works of a similar character. The premiere took place on November 21, 1920, at a Les Six concert in Paris, performed by Nininha Velloso-Guerra (1895-1921). Nininha, daughter of composer Leon Velloso and wife of composer Oswaldo Guerra, was a pianist adept at contemporary works. Milhaud met her during his stay in Brazil and developed a close family relationship with her. Three of the six pieces in "Printemps" are dedicated to her. Possessing exceptional talent in composition and arrangement, she was deeply involved in Milhaud's creative activities, undertaking piano four-hand arrangements of his "L'homme et son désir" (Op. 48) and String Quartet No. 4 (Op. 46), and demonstrating outstanding sight-reading ability by assisting in the two-piano tryout of the cantata "Le retour de l'enfant prodigue" (Op. 42). Her premature death at the age of 26, the year after the premiere of this work, cast a dark shadow over Milhaud's brilliant youth.

Both the first and second collections of "Printemps" are relatively easy to play among Milhaud's piano solo works, making them accessible for learners who have progressed to the later stages of their studies. Their moderate performance time also makes them easy to approach. Instead of emphasizing mechanical virtuosity, these works can become a sufficiently attractive repertoire by expressing delicate sonorities and poetic resonance. Key points include the handling of polytonality, precise control of soft dynamics and legato, and accurate grasp of polyphony.

• No. 4 Doucement (Sweetly) 6/8 time. Completed on March 21, 1919, in Bern. Dedicated to Youra Guller (pianist). For more on Youra Guller, please refer to the author's article on Milhaud's "Suite" (Op. 8).
• No. 5 Vivement (Lively) 6/8 time. Completed on January 10, 1920, in Paris. Dedicated to Nininha Velloso-Guerra (pianist).
• No. 6 Calme (Calmly) 2/4 time. Completed on March 28, 1920, in Nice. Dedicated to Céline Bugnion-Lagouarde (photographer and pianist).