Bartók Béla, ifj.: Chronicles of Béla Bartók's Life (Budapest, 2021)
School Years (1890–1903)
SCHOOL YEARS (1 890-1 903) 1902 at the Royal Hall, later he tests the piano at the Catholic Circle. 2 March - In the morning he has a rehearsal with E Mathieu in the Royal Hall, at noon lunch at József Lukács s. In the evening concert for the benefit of the St. József boarding-school for boys of the Christian Brothers of Schools. Under the patronage of Archduchess Erzsébet Henriette and 18 magnate young ladies F. Mathieu and Bianca Maleczky sing, Mary and Alice Karminska play the harp, Artúr Hartmann plays Violin Concerto No. 4 by Vieuxtemps, Faurés Berceuse, and Hauser s Hungarian Fancy. Afterwards in the “international guest house” at Kígyó Square there is dinner till half past 2 with a big company, where Bartok gets to be on familiar terms with Hartmann who calls him the best pianist of Budapest. (Typically, in the reviews Alajos Tarnays name appeared as accompanist.) 3 March - Lunch with Hartmann at Hotel Royal. In the evening he accompanies F. Mathieu at Stefi Geyers concert. (This time Vilmos Kladivkó is mentioned in the papers as accompanist.) 4 March - Letter to his mother in Pozsony. 7 March - Visit at the Fábiáns ’. 9 March - Due to a misunderstanding, he appears on his own at the Franciscan Monastery, to where he got a lunch invitation originally with Hartmann. After lunch he plays the piano for the monks in a cold hall, then he has dinner at Mrs Lajos Voits. In the evening he writes a letter to his mother. 13 March - He writes his mother in Pozsony the programme of his 24 March concert, also adding that he got 2 tickets for the 7th row, so she and his sister Elza should arrive in nice outfits. 24 March - Concert in the Royal Hall. Bartok accompanies violinist Erna Schulz, and also contributes as soloist. His solo program is: Schumanns Des Abends and Aufschwung, Schuberts Impromptu in E flat major, Liszts Etude in F minor. The concert review labelled this performance erroneously his first public appearance. 47
