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

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

WORLD WAR II.

SECOND AND THIRD AMERICAN TO U

R

( 1 9 3 9 - 1 9 4 5 )

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21 February - He writes a letter to Dr. Gyula

Holló and

a postcard to his wife.

28 February - He is complaining about his health: “That peculiar burning feeling in my right side is increasing, especially in my arm - I don’t know what will come of it?” - In the meantime he starts composing Solo Sonata on Yehudi Menuhins request and completes one movement. “If I fail with the planned others, at least this one is ready ” - he writes his wife.

2 March - He writes his son Péter

that

he was supposed to give two concerts in April, but he called them off due to the state of his health. Of wartime propaganda films he writes: “... I am surprised at propaganda film making. I would think that every grownup knew the reason for war. ... They don’t show the glorious dilly-dallying in Italy on film. ...” 10 March - He writes his son Péter:

“

... The U.S. thermometer bought in Saranac is faulty! It shows 3 tenth Celsius less. So it’s not true that I am without fever since December; my temperature is around 37.1, 37.2 and 37.3 (in the evening). ... Beside my scribbling copy work now I am writing a solo violin sonata for Menuhin. ...”.

9 and 16 March - He sends his wife the completed Solo Sonata for Violin to be photocopied and forwarded to Menuhin. “I felt it my duty to write something for this excellent musician.”

18 March - His son Péter

visits

him. They write a joint letter to Mrs Bartok.

26 March - He warns the Boosey & Hawkes firm not to hurry with the publication of the Solo Sonata because first Menuhin’s rights have to be specified. (Menuhin ordered and paid for the composition which would eventually be published only in 1947.)

6 April - He is already considering the matter of his return, writes his wife about financial affairs and their housing problem.

11 April - A thunderstorm rages in Asheville for 24 hours.

12 April - Icy wind-storm. According to Bartok’s remark “The weather is as crazy as the Americans”.

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