Kabalevsky's brief symphonic poem is a waltz, not quite as grand or lush as Ravel's La valse, but still very much in a post-Romantic vein, even though he completed it in 1960. It begins with a solo flute playing a wandering melody, the first spring breeze. The violins and then the other instruments join in on an understated waltz beat, while the oboe, and then the flute again, float above. The poem continues on in much the same way, building to a couple of false climaxes with the full orchestra and dipping in and out of a minor mode, as if the new season were teasing with its approach. Finally Spring arrives in full bloom, and the waltz takes on more earnestness. Once it settles in, however, it rests on its laurels, and the poem returns to the calm and quiet to finish.

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