The abstract Chamber Symphony No 5, written in Warsaw in 1922, is scored for 10 wind instruments. The opening movement marked Rude is more in line with the French definition of the word (i.e., rugged) as opposed to the English definition. This is indeed rugged, primitive-sounding music, conjuring up images of a primeval dance. Perhaps the Milhaud had the ballet stage in mind at this time as he was very active in dance and music theatre at this point in his development. A wandering second movement and a bouncy final movement, heralded by an insistent clarinet, complete the work, which is accented by typical polytonal harmonies and lively rhythms.

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