Abstract
This study aims to draw attention to a notable composition written by two significant Czech artists, the composer Jan Hanuš (1915-2004) and the poet Kamil Bednář (1912-1974). Their vocal triptych Poselství (The Legacy), Op. 66 was inspired by the death of the student Jan Palach, whose self-immolation in January 1969 has remained a memorable event in Czech history ever since.
Due to historical circumstances, however, this substantial dimension of the composition remained hidden for decades, which has prevented the vocal triptych from fully establishing its position among other related works of art. By studying the work's historical, textual, musical, and other relevant circumstances, the text wants to integrate Poselství into the body of such thematically associated compositions.