| Content | Bohuslav Martinů is glad that after such a long time he received an answer from Ernest Roth. But the news is not good. He has new compositions and regrets that his contract with B&H has expired and that it cannot be renewed. BM met David Adams (B&H New York branch) and despite their long conversation, he still has questions about certain issues, which he leaves for later. BM asks ER to send him back his last work, which he refused. He will try to find a new publisher. So far, only the THE EPIC OF GILGAMESH and THE OPENING OF THE SPRING, which he dedicated to Prague (Artia), has been sent to him. BM still doesn't know for sure what the situation with the contract with Artia is. BM would like to find out what happened to LOCANDIERA score, and especially JULIETTA in Wisbaden, from where he has no news, only knows that it was announced as part of the program last season, but in the end it was not performed. If they are not interested in introducing JULIETTA in Wisbaden, he would like it sent back to Prague to make a copy of a single copy of the manuscript and create new orchestral parts. Again, BM begs ER for information and for sending his music. In May, he will be in Europe for a long stay and will move around Paris, perhaps they could finally meet and clarify some issues. |
| Transcription of the letter | Febr.11. 56.
Dear Ernest:
I really thought I will never have a news from you. Well finally i got them but they are not very good. You did escape very well because I have some more new compositions but in a way I am sorry that our contract expired and that you couldn’t renew it but you have reasons which I understand, short, I work too much. But I have to, you know why.
I saw Mr. Adams and had a long talk, I still have some questions which are troubling me but will leave them for later. Now I would like if you could send me back the copies of the last works which you didn’t accept that I can start once more to look for editor, you esnt [sent] me only Gilgamesh and Studanky which I gave to Praha. I am still in clouds about the Praha-contract but don’t bother I will get the explanation s finally from Prague but if you have time, which you don’t, I would like to have some news from you, what you are doing and also I would very much like to know what hapenned [happened] with Locandiera and especially with Juliette in Wisbaden, I have no news from there and know that it was already annonces [announced] on the general proggram [programme] for the last season and nothing hapenned [happened], Something went wrong.? Because if they don’t have intention to produce it I would send it to Prague to make a copy of the only one manuscript copy and make the new orch. parts. Please let me know. And send me my music. We go to Europe once more and for a long stay in May and will be around Paris may be I cloud [could] finally meet you I have some things which I would like to clear up.
Let me know about yourself soon,
With my best regards
[Podpis v.r.:] B. Martinu
108 East 60. st
New York 22. N.Y.
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