| Content | Bohuslav Martinů writes to Jan Zrzavý that he is looking forward to JZ moving to Paris again. The metro will be ready and JZ will have ideal conditions to work in. JZ hasn't lost anything, the winter is unpleasant in Paris. BM has to work in the big room now because the room with the piano can't be heated well, but BM has enough writing to do so he doesn't need the piano. BM's income was quite poor at the beginning, but by performing in Brno [apparently DIVADLO ZA BRÁNOU] and on the radio and abroad, BM got a good royalty. BM had success with the CONCERT FOR FLUTE [, HOUSLE AND ORCHESTRA] and the CONCERT FOR PIANO [No. 2?]. There was a nice article about BM in Revue musical. At the [World] Exhibition BM will probably have a performance of one of the nude pieces he was asked to do [i.e., TWICE ALEXANDER], that might also bring something out. The director of the Grand Opera [i.e., Opéra national de Paris] is interested in Mariken [from THE GAMES OF MARY] and will invite BM to a meeting when the opera moves to the Champs-Élysées. [Albert] Roussel is also concerned, as is [Jacques] Maritaine, so hopefully it will be successful. The Slavonic dances [?] are stuck and nothing will come of it. BM was visited by [Karel Boleslav] Jirák and promised a larger order from [Czechoslovak] radio which would secure BM for a while [i.e. KYTICE]. The plan with the President, which [Stanislav or Jan] Novák speaks of, was not carried out as Novák thinks. BM does not ask for anything but did what he had to do and perhaps a "formula" was found where he would get paid for his work [?] In Paris the price is rising, coffee costs 1.75 fr., demi 2.50 fr. In the [café] Dome, everyone asks for the SW. [Alain] Diviš sees BM little, [Vojtěch?] Volavka hardly at all. BM's landlady has discounted 400 fr. and so pays only 2400 fr. a year. They won't go south this year, unless BM happens to find the money, rather they will go to Prague for Easter because of the matter [with the radio order]. Charlotte [Martinů] is going to work in the afternoon and is also arranging a house in Vieux-Moulin, where they will probably be for the holidays. BM does not regret staying in Paris, everything will turn out well. The Café Rotonde will probably open soon. |