These three early pieces, for solo piano in semitone, which he hadgrouped together under the title "Ombres", were recently found in the archivesof the Paul-Sacher Foundation in Basel. The composer apparently did not disownthem, as they were copied with the greatest care. They testify, as shown bythe notes below, to the powerful exaltation of his youth, which the composerhad moreover retained throughout his life.