Among Martinů's solo piano pieces we find several works that bear the "prelude" in their title. The first stand-alone work so titled is the Prelude, H 85, on the theme of Marseillaise, sometimes referred to as Prelude No. 1, followed in close succession by Prelude No. 2 in F minor, H 86, whose figuration and passionate character is reminiscent of the style of Chopin's preludes. Both works were written early in Martinů's career in 1913, before the First World War, in the midst of work on the first booklet of Loutky (Puppets III), H 92.
Other preludes include the Prelude, H 86bis, dedicated to the Berger children, which is closely related to the aforementioned Loutky (Puppets). Then there is the Prélude, H 121bis, the Prelude from 1924, H 140, composed not long after Martinů arrived in Paris, the piano Prelude, H 178, dedicated to the Society of Amateur Theatre Players in Polička in commemoration of the opening of the Tyl House in 1929, and finally the Eight Preludes for Piano, H 181, from 1929.
A recording of the work was first released by Naxos in 2007 (Martinů: Complete Piano Music, Vol. 4 – Seven Czech Dances; Giorgio Koukl).
Jana Burdová, 2024