| Content | Bohuslav [and Charlotta] Martinů is thinking of Paul Sacher [who is conducting the Basel Chamber Orchestra's anniversary concert that day, with the premiere of TOCCATA E DUE CANZONI]. He tries to listen to the concert on the radio; asks Sacher for news about the concert and the reception of the work.
BM and ChM hear Arthur Honegger's symphony performed by Charles Munch and the [New York] Philharmonic the next day [presumably Symphony No. 3 by AH; it was performed on Jan. 23, 1947] .He is also curious about Igor Stravinsky's piece; hopefully he will hear it soon. PS is to inform the writer if he does not like anything in the composition TOCCATA E DUE CANZONI.
BM would be very happy for PS to perform TRE RICERCARI. It is one of the works BM thinks should be performed. It is held by Boosey & Hawkes in London. BM, answering a question about strengthening the strings in this piece [see Sac 1947-01-13], recommends doubling the first counter, for example, with 8 violins: 4 first violins, 2 second, 2 third; he advises the same procedure for the cellos (2/1/1); there are, of course, solo parts. If the PS has a larger orchestra, he can double everything, with the first desks always taking precedence. BM advises that the PS should not place the second piano behind the orchestra, but forward on the side so that it can be heard well.
BM asks Sacher to report to him on the Prague performance of the DOUBLE CONCERT with large orchestra. Wouldn't a larger instrumentation be destructive to the music? BM thinks the Basel cast is ideal.
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