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

War Years (1914–1919)

1918

CHRONICLES OF BÉLA

BARTOK'S

LIFE

is chatting with his wife in writing. Among other things he writes: “An emotional scale of amazing variety has developed in my ear”.

17 October

- He feels better, he is playing cards with his wife.

18 October

- There is a relapse, they have to get an ice bag from Budapest for putting on a compress. - His wife writes: “

Béla has

never yet been this ill, poor thing”.

22 October

- The start of a slow recovery.

23 October

- He is still in great pain, but has no high temperature any more.

26 October

- Still in bed, he is already copying.

30 October - After 23 days in bed, he gets up.

At the same time of his illness the collapse of the Austro-Hungarian Monarchy has ensued. World War I has come to an end. - There are attempts to draw Bartok into work in the new political situation. He is selected into the Hungarian National Council, but due to his illness and the difficulties in transport he is unable to join in effect the work of the Council.

4 November

- Mrs Kodály

writes

Mrs Emil

Tóth at

Kertmeg: “

Béla has

recovered completely and is out of his bed for days already. ... Zoltán

would have much to discuss with Béla,

but

B. sent a message that we shouldn’t travel out to their home, trains have no free seats”.

However, Bartok is not totally healthy, he needs constant treatment for his ear.

8 November

- He goes to Budapest with his family on a horse cart, takes along the cylinders in several chests. He stays with his wife and their son first in his mother-in-law’s flat at Dezső

Szilágyi Square,

then in the Kodálys

’ Áldás Street

flat until 22 December.

16 November

- The National Council has a meeting in the Parliament to which he is called by telegram, but the notice arrives late, so he doesn’t attend.

21 November

- He has to stay in bed due to a minor surgery.

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