As the 1945–46 concert season progressed, Martinů began to realize that there was something wrong in Prague's musical life. Although he was still in the dark about his status at the Prague Conservatory, he became greatly alarmed by Talich's situation. Talich had remained in the Czech lands during the Nazi occupation and considered it his patriotic duty to continue performances at the National Theater. But after Heydrich's assassination in 1942, Talich—along with several other luminaries from Czech cultural life—was forced to give a public oath of allegiance to the Protectorate and Hitler's regime. And in spite of his protests, Talich was also named a member of the Anti-Bolshevik League, which was used against him by the communists who came to key positions after the war. In the days after the liberation, Talich was relieved of his position at the National Theater, and when he openly asked Nejedlý about the grounds for the decision, he learned that “he had behaved badly during the war and that it would have been more appropriate to close down the National Theater than to hold performances under German occupation.” Then, on 21 May 1945—as part of the volatile wave of national retribution—Talich was handcuffed and hauled away by armed guards to the Pankrac Prison, where he awaited trial five weeks later. Although he was acquitted, his reputation was tarnished, making it difficult for him to fully resume his career.

Talich's situation and other bad news from home made Martinů reevaluate his situation in the United States. Now emerging in his letters to family and friends in Czechoslovakia were regular explanations about why he was prolonging his stay in America along with reassurances that he would indeed arrive once the time was right. Also notable about his correspondence from this time are his positive depictions of American life. Perhaps he was beginning to realize that his return to Prague was not meant to be. But his enthusiasm for life in the United States was probably sparked by his acquaintance with Rosalie Barstow (1907–75), a Jewish-American woman who had been an admirer of his music and introduced herself to him in New York City sometime in 1944–45.