Bartók Béla, ifj.: Chronicles of Béla Bartók's Life (Budapest, 2021)
Economic Crisis (1932–1933)
1933 CHRONICLES OF BÉLA BARTOK'S LIFE 8 October - In his letter he asks Miksa Fenyő to arrange a meeting for him with big industrialist Ferenc Chorin, because he would like to get his support for his brother-in-law who still hasn’t found employment. - Ivan Balló, responsible for arranging the Slovakian collection for print, had a quarrel with the Matica and left, which shocked Bartok; as a solution he proposes to Matica Slovenská that he would undertake this task himself; he tells them what to do next. 10 October - He writes a letter to Music News of Chicago concerning Percy Graingers essay entitled “Melody Versus Rhythm” they published, about the equality of “melodic” and “rhythmic” music, or of free pariando and music with fixed rhythm. The Matica sends a telegram pressing for the answer in the Balló matter that they haven’t yet received. 12 October - Bartok answers in a telegram and also repeats in a letter what he had written on 8 October. Afterwards the Matica entrusts him with the arrangement for print, and asks him to define the remuneration for this task. 19 October - Bartok suggests a fee of 80 Czech crowns per sheet. - He writes the BBC his program in England and his London address. 20 October - He writes a postcard in German to the Zoltán Székelys in Nijmegen, mentioning among other things that his London address of 4-8 November would be: c/o Duncan Wilson, 7 Sydney Square, S.W.7. 22 October - He attends the stage rehearsal of the Philharmonic Society. - He writes the Viennese firm Bösendorfer about the extension on the lease of his piano rented since 1928. 23 October - Ceremonial concert for the 80th anniversary of the Philharmonic Society’s existence, conducted by Ernő Dohnányi. Its programme features two world premieres, Kodály ’s Dances of Galánta and Bartok’s 5 Hungarian Folk Songs (transcription with orchestral accompaniment of 5 numbers from 20 Hungarian Folk Songs) with the participation of Mária Basilides. 356
