Originating from Asia, the short poetic form of 'haiku' always consists of three lines with 17 syllables. The concentration and conciseness resulting therefrom fascinated Berthold Hummel and inspired him to write these 11 miniatures for a-cappella choir and vibraphone. Without using any atonal techniques, he managed very impressively to make traditional poetry appear in a modern form. With great sensitivity, he gave musical expression to a text full of allusions.

• I Der Frühlingsmond (Hotta Bakusui, 1720-1783)
• II Der Schmetterling (Taniguchi Buson, 1715-1783)
• III Pflaumenblütenzweig (Sumi Taigi, 1709-1772)
• IV Die gefangene Nachtigall (Sumi Taigi)
• V Das verirrte Kind (Yoshida Ryusui, ohne Datum)
• VI Ein bewölkter Tag (Kusakabe Kyohaku, gest. 1698)
• VII Kleine Mücken (Matsuo Basho, 1643-1694)
• VIII Der Fuji-Berg im Regen (Matsuo Basho)
• IX Herbststurm I (Toyoma Rogetsu, 1666-1751)
• X Herbststurm II (Morikawa Kyoroku, 1652-1715)
• XI Todesvers...