Bartók Béla, ifj.: Chronicles of Béla Bartók's Life (Budapest, 2021)

World War II. Second and Third American Tour (1939–1945)

1939

CHRONICLES OF BÉLA

BARTOK'S

LIFE

work for which the Sachers secured every commodity. He completed Divertimento in 15 days, and during the remaining time he works on his String Quartet No. 6 on commission from Zoltán

Székely or

rather the New Hungarian String Quartet. He is deeply worried by the danger of war. He advises his son not to leave on his planned trip to Romania in such uncertain times.

19 August

- He negotiates with Ralph Hawkes “to mutual satisfaction” - he writes his wife. - He writes his son Péter

among

other things about the idea of driving a car: “I was really interested in your news especially those regarding independent car driving. AHEM! this might be a dangerous thing, right? True that anyone can drive a car e.g. in California [U.S.A.], ... , Holy Freedom is extended even to this matter there”

At the end of August he returns home.

1 September

- The Germans attack Poland. Outbreak of World War II.

2 September

- Mr and Mrs Bartoks radio concert for two pianos is postponed to 31 October.

7 September - Bartok sends detailed instructions to Jenő

Deutsch

for the writing of the Romanian words and cover plates.

11 September - He reaches an agreement with Rózsavölgyi

and

Co. regarding the publication of Weiner s orchestration of Two Rumanian Dances. The rate of Bartoks, Weiners and the publishers shares is: Y3-Y3-Y3.

27 September - He writes leader of Magyar Kórus

(Hungarian

Choir) Gyula Kertész that

he is glad about the republishing of the choral works (the old publication was selling out), placing an order for music paper at the same time.

28 September - He sends the Rózsavölgyis

acknowledgement

of the arrival of corrections for Two Rumanian Dances, and declares that the Scandinavian tour they suggested is out of the question. - He also writes Paul Sacher.

29 September - He informs Géza

Frid

that

the publication of Sonata for

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