Bartók Béla, ifj.: Chronicles of Béla Bartók's Life (Budapest, 2021)
World War II. Second and Third American Tour (1939–1945)
1 944 CHRONICLES OF BÉLA BARTOK'S LIFE could not have changed its future fate”. 9 September - In his letter to his son he asks if he can write him in Hungarian, and concerning his state of health he mentions having had a bout of “bursitis” in his left shoulder, combined with the chronic periarthritis. About judging art he writes: “... Leave silly talks about art unanswered. One can not fight stupidity. There have been, are and will be such fools everywhere. ... But in every art [not only in music] classical’ means such works in which form and content are proportionately balanced. But it is futile to use this argument, ... The best defence is silence....” 12 September - He writes Boosey & Hawkes, on the 14th his wife. 17 September - He goes on a walk to a “high” mountaintop in the company of a certain Mr. Clement. 18 September - He writes his son that the bursitis was repressed by a big portion of salicyl, and notifies his wife that he would like to return to New York on 2 October. “ Lévi went over those 39 sheets and recommended Mrs Nye for the rest. I go there daily, today I already start with the fair copy” - he writes about his work concerning Romanian lyrics. He writes with joy that the Concerto will be performed several times in Boston at the end of October (later this got postponed). 20 September - Menuhin played the Violin Concerto with the BBC in London. Bartok writes Péter about this on the 25th: “... - Enthusiastic telegrams kept coming - one from him, one from Hawkes, the publisher ... Am proud to be associated with you as publisher of such a great work’ If he is proud, he is proud, he’s got a reason to be! But then he should actually help me with some more substantial yearly advances while I am in this country. If I can ever return home at all!...” 24 September - He writes his wife about plans for a change of flat, adding: “further help from ASCAP [meaning hotel accommodation] should not be utilised. I will never be healthier than this ever”. 25 September - He describes the difficult housing situation and increasing 492
