Dedicated to Madame Jacquard.
Although the piano four-hand editions bear slightly earlier plate numbers than the corresponding two-piano editions, the consecutive numbering suggests that they were issued as a coordinated set rather than representing a clear sequence of composition or arrangement.

Pas des Cymbales was published independently for piano four hands and two pianos in 1887, two years before the publication of the piano score of Callirhoë and three years before the Suite d’orchestre. Although the publication chronology raises the possibility that the work was later incorporated into the orchestral suite, it is equally possible that it was issued in advance as an independent keyboard excerpt from Callirhoë. No documentary evidence has yet been found to establish the sequence of composition or Chaminade’s intentions.

This conclusion is based on a comparison of the independently published four-hand and two-piano versions of Op. 36 with the published piano score of Callirhoë (Enoch, plate 1505). No contemporary source has yet been identified that explicitly describes Op. 36 as an extract from the ballet. Moreover, despite frequent claims that Op. 36 Pas des Cymbales was extracted from Callirhoë, no corresponding movement or clearly identifiable musical equivalent has been located in the published piano score. The association may have been inferred by later bibliographers from the title of the orchestral Suite d’orchestre, Callirhoë, rather than from contemporary documentary evidence.

Première: February 4, 1886, Salle Érard, Paris; Cécile Chaminade and Camille Chevillard, two pianos.
Published for piano four hands (Enoch plate 1345).
Published for two pianos, four hands (Enoch plate 1347).
Transcribed for solo piano by Weyler (Enoch plate 2155).