Bartók Béla, ifj.: Chronicles of Béla Bartók's Life (Budapest, 2021)
School Years (1890–1903)
1899 CHRONICLES OF BÉLA BARTOK'S LIFE 20 February - Yet 12 more new titles enter the catalogue of good pieces, then the notes stop for 6 months. Beside his medical treatments, he is preparing for his final exams in grammar school. 19 May - He receives his year 8 school report with 3 excellent (mathematics, physics, religious education) and 6 good grades. He had 280 verified missed lessons. 20 May - The class of year 8 went to see the museums in Vienna, but Bartoks health condition makes his participation questionable. 23-27 May - Written final exams of Hungarian, Latin, Greek, German languages, and mathematics. 14 June - Beginning of the oral exams. 19 June - He receives his graduation certificate qualified “passed well” with 3 excellent’ grades and good’ for the four language subjects. He receives the usual sums from the Győr Orphan Foundation and the Prachner Foundation for the last time. He spends the summer months in Eberhard, Carinthia, where his health seems to be restored. 1 September - He proceeds with his catalogue. 8 September - In a letter he notifies István Thomán about his arrival to Budapest with his mother on 15 September. Soon his mother returns home, and Bartok takes up lodgings in the widowed Mrs Lajos Voit’s flat at 32 Alsó erdősor. 17 September - He is getting acquainted with the capital; he is wandering about the City Park alone. 18 September - He writes his mother about his first impressions. 21 September - He lodges a request of exemption from school-fees with the Academy. 22 September - He writes his mother about his first experiences at the Music Academy. 4 October - Bartok’s landlady writes the widowed Mrs Béla Bartok in 32
