Dr Ernst Roth

c/o Boosey & Hawkes, Ltd.

295 Regent Street

L o n d o n W l

128 / 375 / Bh                15th May 1958

Dear Doctor Roth, 

I would like to inform you that our publishing house prepares a monograph on Bohuslav Martinů who is one of the leading composers of your publishing house.

This monograph was written for us by Martinů's close friend Mr Miloš Šafránek. The composer has read the book in manuscript and thus this book will have all the marks of an "official biography"; all facts have been checked and verified, the music examples are copied directly from the composer's manuscript and the analysis of Martinů's works were authenticated by the composer himself. This book of about 400 pages with many music examples and illustrations will appear in autumn 1959 in English and German.

I am convinced that your publishing house will be greatly interested in this book, especially so that it will appear well in time for Martinů's seventieth birthday celebrations hen all musical work will naturally show greater interest in Martinů and his work. I am sure it would be to the adventage of both our publishing houses if we joined and published this monograph in a "co-edition" with our respective imprints. I would be very obliged if you kindly considered my suggestion and let me know your option as soon as possible, so that we may make the necessary alterations in imprint and the English and German print numbers.

Sincerely yours,

M. Šenar

Director of the Publishing Department