Bartók Béla, ifj.: Chronicles of Béla Bartók's Life (Budapest, 2021)
World War II. Second and Third American Tour (1939–1945)
1 941 CHRONICLES OF BÉLA BARTOK'S LIFE 18 January - He writes Frigyes Reiner about preparations concerning their concert in Pittsburgh. 20 January - In New York World premiere of String Quartet No. 6 dedicated to the Kolisch Quartet, performed by the Kolisches in Bartoks presence. 21 January - He leaves New York for Huntingdon in the morning. That day and the next he gives lessons to Dorothy Parrish. 22 January - He travels to Pittsburgh (Pennsylvania) in the afternoon, stays at Hotel Schenley. The same evening he rehearses Piano Concerto No. 2 with Frigyes Reiner. 23 January - From Pittsburgh he writes his wife that he received various job offers. Columbia University gives him a commission of four months for organising the Parry collection, which makes him very glad. 24 and 26 January - He plays Piano Concerto No. 2 at the Pittsburgh Syria Mosque (it is not a mosque, but a cultural institution) with the Pittsburgh Symphonic Orchestra. 28 January - At the New York Town Hall he plays Bach’s Concerto for Two Pianos C major with his wife conducted by Daniel Saidenberg. 29 January - The Ministry of Religion and Public Education gives Bartok permission (Pres. No. 12592/41) to stay abroad until 31 December 1942; the paying out of his allowances for this time is assigned to Béla Bartok Jnr. - However, the extension of Bartoks passport depends on two other ministries, those of Home Affairs and of Foreign Affairs. 29 and 31 January - He goes to the New York Consulate General concerning this matter, which is made especially difficult by his passport having been issued in October of 1940 to the effect that he would have to return home by 17 October 1940. 1 February - He asks his son Béla by telegram to get an absolvation from this. - He writes Oliver Strunks wife in Princeton (New Jersey) about circumstances of his 6 February concert, and to Wilhelmine Creel in Seattle (State of Washington) about him being pleased with her return 462
