March 21 - 53

Dear Mr. Schlee:

I write you that I would have some manuscript at my disposition and I think I would like to propose you a Concerto da Camera for violin solo with string orch. and piano. It is one of compositions commissioned by P. Sacher and was performed in Basel with a big success. I still like it more than many of my later compositions, and I am sure you will like it too. It is about 20 minutes, with the brilliant solo part. I know you would prefer an orchestral piece, but I couldn’t get so far from my contract with Boosey & Hawkes, if I write a new piece I have to show it first to B&H and they would certainly take it. And I do not have any time for it now. But the Concerto is good and I got it back from B&H, because they didn’t printed it in time after the contract and in the meantime they have a new score, specially in the opera-field. Let me know what do you think about it. I will be in N.Y. until May 1 and after that date I am coming to Europe. I am in the Jury for the Festival in Bruzelles. I hope I could come back to Matrei that’s the place which appeal to me so much. And I hope to see you too.

With my best regards

B. Martinu