Bartók Béla, ifj.: Chronicles of Béla Bartók's Life (Budapest, 2021)
Settling In Budapest. Systematic Collection of Folk Songs (1907–1913)
1908 CHRONICLES OF BÉLA BARTOK'S LIFE transferred to Budapest as national superintendent. He is allotted official residence at 2 Dísz Square. He wants his two daughters, Herma of 16 and Márta, one year her junior, to study music, and his choice falls on Béla Bartok with Pozsony connections, who agrees to teach at the Zieglers’ flat. At the beginning of October Bartok goes to Aranyosszék. 5 October - From Torda (Torda-Aranyos county) he writes a postcard to Etelka Freund, on the 6th he takes an excursion to the mountain-gorge of Torda. 7 October - From Torock he writes Irma Freund. He returns to Budapest, then leaves for Nyitra county. 18 October - Having travelled through Érsekújvár he collects folk songs in the communities of Tőkésújfalu and Apátkolos. 31 October - Taking advantage of All-Saints Day, he travels to Bánffyhunyad, staying at Hotel Tigris. 3 November - He posts his mother a crateful of express goods’ (probably pieces of his ethnographic collection). 5 November - From Bánffyhunyad he travels to Kolozsvár; he sends Etelka Freund the picture of King Matthias’ statue made by János Fadrusz; “The most beautiful statue of Hungary ... from among the works ... of his fellow competitors ... this one stands out like the real Hungarian folk song from among the artificial gipsy songs”. - The Minister of Religion and Public Education confirms him as regular Professor by decree No. 116733/1908. 6 November - He returns to Budapest. 12 November - The Music Academy informs him of the finalisation of his post under No. 662/1908. 13 November - He writes Márta Ziegler: “I forgot a whole carload at your place. But of all that, I would need the Tót songs the most”. In place of his signature there is the score of the 2nd movement of String Quartet No. 1. no
