| Content | Paul Sacher thanks Bohuslav Martinů for his letters of 8 December and 14 March. He also confirms his telegram of 26 January, in which he wrote to the composer about the successful premiere of his violin concerto [CONCERTA DA CAMERA]. The letter from BM of 8.12. was not received until after the performance of CONCERTA DA CAMERA and so the writer was unable to take advantage of the instructions contained therein. The piece was carefully rehearsed and was enjoyed by the soloist [Gertrud Flügel] and the orchestra, who played it well. The audience responded enthusiastically. PS himself praises the piece again. The violin part is very beautiful and a good performer can handle it without much difficulty.
Has the piece been performed in America in the meantime? How does BM rate any performance?
PS performed a DOUBLE CONCERT with his new orchestra Collegium Musicum in Zurich at the end of April. Thanks to the Paul Casals Competition, which was held as part of the same concert, the piece could be performed twice in a packed hall. It was a great success and was well performed.
It is no wonder that the DVOJKONCERT and the CONCERTO GROSSO are successful in America. What are the composer's next plans? How did the premieres of SINFONIETTA GIOCOSA and the Cello Sonata No. 2 turn out? Henri Honegger sent Sacher the score of the Sonata for Cello and Chamber Orchestra [SONATA DA CAMERA], it's a beautiful piece. PS unfortunately didn't hear it on the radio, he was in rehearsal at the time.
As for the concerto for solo instrument,
PS would like to perform TRE RICERCARI next season. He would like to strengthen the strings as much as possible and asks the composer how many players will be needed in each group of violinists and cellists. He does not understand the instructions in the score. He hopes to be able to obtain material from the editor.
PS is unable to contact Pierre Fournier and ask him to send the Cello Sonata No. 1 to Bohuslav Martinů. PF is in Paris, which is closed, as is the entire occupied zone.
PF will always be willing to pass on the composer's messages to Caroline and Maria Martinů. Both were happy for the latest news. From him. The last letter from MM was received by the writer at the end of February, it was a reply to his letter near January. The news was not very favorable. [The writer paraphrases the contents of Sac's letter 1942-02-25.] PS and Maja Sacher replied to them and passed on information about BM and Charlotte Martin. They have no further news as yet.
Monique Haas was in Switzerland and gave several concerts there. She is doing well, as are her friends in Cannes, although they all have some problems: in MH's case it is difficult to supply.
BM has Nelly Louise Frey's address. Since the cessation of direct air mail, PS and MS rarely get messages from her. Correspondence has virtually ceased, but they do send occasional telegrams to each other. PS may send her something by BM sometime. |