Les Ritournelles, H 227, for piano is one of a total of fifteen compositions written by Martinů in 1932, including “Four Serenates” for different sets of instruments (H 215, H 216, H 217, H 218), Sinfonia concertante No.1 for two orchestras, String sextet, H 224, which received first prize at the American Elizabeth Sprague – Coolidge Competition, and Four Children Songs and Rhymes (Čtyři dětské písně a říkadla, H 225). By then Martinů was slowly getting over his experimental phase and finally finding his own style; he composed rapidly and with ease, encouraged by the interest of publishers. Charlotte, the author’s widow, says in her book, “My Life with Bohuslav Martinů,” that at the time of their wedding (1931) her husband was writing rapidly in order to be able to buy at least some furniture for their new household. The outcome, in this case, is higly playful composition.
Aleš Březina, programme of the Bohuslav Martinů Festival, 14 December 1995.