Poulenc's work was originally conceived as ballet music, but is today regarded as a piano concerto.
The work was premiered as a ballet on 18 June 1929 at the Noailles, which determined the size of the orchestra Poulenc could employ.
A few months later, it was revived at the Théâtre des Champs-Élysées in the choreography this time by George Balanchine, of which Poulenc disapproved.
Poulenc himself designed the scenario of the ballet whose theme is the solitude of women.
Her companions dress her then give her a bow: the hunt must serve her as a distraction.