Chanson triste, H 36, of 1911, also written in Polička, is an effective character piece. It is a sad song indeed – generically so for the most part, but one snaps to attention with the harmonies between the hands toward the end, an early example of the bitonality found in so much of Martinů's later music.
The recording of the composition was released for the first time by Naxos in 2009 (Martinů: Complete Piano Music, Vol. 6 – Esquisses, Jeux, Lyric Pieces; Giorgio Koukl).
Mark Gresham and Cary Lewis, Martinů: Complete Piano Music, Vol. 6 – Esquisses, Jeux, Lyric Pieces; Giorgio Koukl).