| Content | Bohuslav Martinů thanks you for your letter of 22 February. So far he has received nothing from Prague, neither a telegram from the Ministry of Information nor an invitation from them. That is why he is writing again. He needs a document from Prague for the consulate. He cannot leave unless he has permission to return, which he will not get in Europe, and he is already engaged at the Berkshire Festival. He's worried if it's too late for all the formalities. He agrees to perform the 1st SYMPHONY and is happy for Charles Munch to do it. What day will it be? Can František Bartoš or Karel Novák tell him what the connections are from Prague to Paris, could the ČF arrange 2 places for him right after the Festival [Prague Spring]? Would it be necessary to secure an exit visa from Czechoslovakia? Rudolf Firkušný is on tour now, he wants to be in Prague in May, then he has another tour here. He doesn't know if Jarmila Novotná will arrive in time, as she is probably still engaged at that time. BM doubts he could do a course or lectures. They would arrange the course combined with the conservatory for next season. The world situation is not going as they had imagined. He will make arrangements for the Matrix at home, he has no good memories of working with it. For the voice he has only the songs [SONGS ON ONE AND TWO PAGES], he sends them. He hopes that the cigarettes for CF will run out soon. Don't leave Václav Talich, he was pleased with [Karl] Dostal's article. Thanks for the very nice analysis of [2nd SYMPHONY], which made him happy. Only one flaw it has, FB is only at the beginning of the problem and does not think it through to the end. In principle the conclusions are correct, but when he figures them out even, they get a different light. But he is on a good path and finds good and unforeseen supports along the way. Sister [Marie Martinu] wrote that she had received the article. BM looks forward to seeing everyone and hopes the plan doesn't go wrong. He says hello to František Muzika, he has no address for him, and Jan Zrzavý, who does not reply. The situation is getting muddled, he hopes it won't affect the Festival. |