Bartók Béla, ifj.: Chronicles of Béla Bartók's Life (Budapest, 2021)
War Years (1914–1919)
WAR YEARS (1914-1919) 1914 collecting. 13 April - He continues the letter still in Nyárádremete, then on the 14th collects in Nyárádköszvényes, on the 15th in Jobbágytelke and on the 16th along the route of Görgényorsova-Kincsesfő-Felsőoroszi- Nyárádremete. In the meantime his wife is collecting on her own (the folk songs from the communities of Nyárádtő, Nógrádtő, Marosliget, and Mezőszabadi are presumably her collection). 17 April - Bartok collects in the community of Bala, on the 18th in Körtekapu. 20 April - He sets out for home. 21 April - At dawn he arrives in Rákoskeresztúr. 22 April - He already teaches at the Music Academy. 23 April - He pays a passport charge of 8 K (crowns) at the council of Rákoskeresztúr for his summer journey. 24 April - He sends a letter to Klára Chitz in Vienna with thanks for her text revisions (its probably concerning the pieces of the Bartók- Reschofsky Piano School Book). 30 April - In Budapest his passport (No. 039899, valid for Europe) is issued for the purpose of “study tour”. Bartoks folk song collecting and transcriptions are not received everywhere with comprehension. Some circles watch his activities with jealousy even in Romania. In Moldavia the periodical ezatoare issued at Flticeni attacked his Bihar collection, questioning its authenticity. Bartok was defending himself against the attack. At this time his point of view is still a willingness to fight for a cause when he is certain of being right, at least here he can defend himself with unambiguous facts, unlike against those criticising his activity as a composer. He writes his refutation with scientific thoroughness. 20 May - He sends his writing to Jon Bianu in Bucharest asking to get it published in the Convorbiri Literare. At this time he even has hopes 151
