In the final years, Martinů's music exhibits a distinct shift towards religious or sacred texts.
The Hymn to St. James, H 347, originated as a fruit of years-long urging of the composer's family back in his native Polička to write some piece also for the local St. James Church - the composer was in fact born high up its spire, in the small Spire Master's room. In the summer of 1949, Martinů was accosted by Father Jaroslav Daněk, who was Dean of the church and asked to compose a cantata in honor of its patron saint.
Within months, in autumn 1949, Father Daněk was arrested by the Communist State Police and imprisoned for three years. While behind bars, he produced an original text, which was subsequently smuggled out and, in summer 1951, sent to the composer, then residing in the USA, by the Martinů family. He added several biblical verses (Mt 26.37–39), and the composition was finished on 18 July 1954. The Hymn to St. James, to be performed on the Saint's feast day (25 July), was first given by local musicians and choir in Polička on Sunday 31 July 1955.
Aleš Březina, Martinů, Řezníček, Fiala, © 2017 ARCO DIVA