Bartók Béla, ifj.: Chronicles of Béla Bartók's Life (Budapest, 2021)
War Years (1914–1919)
1918 CHRONICLES OF BÉLA BARTOK'S LIFE 20 August - He sends a detailed account to Kertmeg of his way of life in Szászberek. He mentions that “ [Sándor] Brody hasn’t presented himself with the lyrics”. 24 August - He also writes his experiences to his wife who travelled to Marosvásárhely in the meantime, and asks her to stay put upon returning to Kertmeg and help his sister and family as long as possible. He confirms this on a postcard written at the same time to his sister at Kertmeg. - The Kohners ’ place is always full of guests, Bartok mentions that they were visited on 24 August by painter Adolf Fényes, on the 26th by viola player [Kenton] Korstein. 26 August - He finishes his collecting, and sets out for home via Üjszász. His mother and Irma Voit return to Pozsony from Kertmeg at the same time, from Üjszász to Budapest they all travel on the same train. This is their last meeting before the end of the war and the revolutions, afterwards history tore them apart for a long time. Bartok’s wife on 27 August returns with her little son to Kertmeg. 4 or 5 September - Bartok writes here from Rákoskeresztúr: “ We are quite all right at home considering. But no, far from it, it would be better if you were at home”. He has to write an autobiography in German for Universal Edition before 15 September, he is expecting his wife’s assistance with this, but is awaiting their return anyway. He sends his little son belated birthday wishes separately. In the end he gives an account of three of his works: “... I have put chords to 7 Hungarian songs from the summer collection, even to Róza Ökrös’ famous Borbála Angoli among other things. ... But I am already thinking about the Mandarin, too; it will be one hell of a music if I succeed. ... Besides, I am organising the Tót material. ..” Then there is a gleam of hope for official financial assistance with the processing of his collecting results and for getting partly relieved from his teaching duties. He negotiates it with Departmental Director of the National Museum László Fejérpataky; it was even granted by the 178
