| Content | Charlotte Martinů apologises to Robert Vannoy for writing in French and for the delay in replying to his letter of 13 January 1970. She was ill all winter and could not write. She has been better since May, although she is still not completely well.
ChM knows [Libuše and Nicholas] Maro well and has a photograph of their inn.
He will see Rudolf Firkušný in Paris on 10 June. He will be performing there with the Philharmonic [Orchestre philharmonique de Paris?] Too bad RV didn't get a chance to meet RF or his wife [Tatiana Firkušná], a beautiful Czech.
Of course, ChM knows about Miloš Šafránek's book. However, MŠ has treated her badly: he received Bohuslav Martinů's manuscripts purely to write the book, and now he is selling the manuscripts, even though they belong to her as heiress. ChM is in the know when it comes to BM's affairs. She has to send out scores all over the world, which is challenging but also brings her joy.
ChM thanks the addressee for keeping in touch with [William and Helen] Ziegler's son, [William Ziegler]. When ChM [and BM] were with them in Noroton, their son was 15 years old. It is good that RV is keeping him informed about BM's life.
BM was awarded the Grand Prix International du Disque for the fourth time. The first was for SYMPHONY No. 6 performed by Charles Munch and the Boston Symphony Orchestra, the second for SYMPHONY No. 4 with Martin Turnovsky and the Czech Philharmonic, the third for NONET No. 2 performed by Octuor de Paris and fourth for CONCERT FOR VIOLONCELLO AND ORCHESTRA No. 2 and CONCERT FOR HOBOY AND SMALL ORCHESTRA with the Czech Philharmonic and the Brno Philharmonic [? "Filharmonie Tchèque Prague Filharmonie de Brno"]. These records are now in CBS in New York.
ChM is happy that RV likes France. She [and BM] have been to La Rochelle and ChM would like to go there again, but her health does not allow it. When she can, she will go to concerts and operas all over Europe. She missed [Prague Spring] for the first time this year. She has many friends in Prague who are unhappy about the Russian occupation - except for MS, who has become a great Communist.
ChM wished to return to the US one day. She is waiting for the Concorde. However, her health and age will probably not allow her to do that anymore.
She encloses two photos: of RF and of herself [with BM] in her youth.
It is questionable whether she will perform JULIETTA next season in New York. |