Bohuslav Martinů's vocal output includes several works inspired by oriental themes, which occupy a prominent place in his early period. Two cycles play a key role in this phase of his work – Nipponari, H 68, and Magic Nights, H 119. These works are an exception within his song output, being the only vocal cycles with orchestral accompaniment (in the case of Nipponari, a small orchestra) and the only ones in which Martinů set Eastern poetry to music.
In his monograph, Miloš Šafránek also mentions the cycle of Chinese Songs for voice with piano accompaniment, H 147, which Martinů was supposed to have composed in Paris in 1925. However, there is no further information about this piece, apart from a dedication to Fina Tausiková, and its autograph is currently missing.
Jana Burdová, 2025