August 13, 1943

Mr. Bohuslav Martinu

Darien

Connecticut

Dear Mr. Martinu:

I have just heard from Mr. Leinsdorf by telephone that he wants to do your Symphony No. 2 at our pair of concerts Thursday and Saturday, October 28th and 30th. Since we are giving the premiere performance at these concerts, we also want to have the right to have the premiere performance on the air. I have just signed a contract with The Mutual Broadcasting System for a series of coast-to-coast broadcasts Sunday evenings, 9:00 to 10:00 P.M., Eastern War Time, beginning October 10. We would like to have you give us the right of the premiere radio performance on one of our Sunday evening broadcasts, this broadcast to take place not later than January 1, 1944.

We, of course, are hoping that it will be possible for you to be present at the first performance, Thursday evening, October 28.

May I hear from you at an early date?

Cordially yours,

Manager

P. S. I trust you will keep the performance of your composition confidential at present, as we would like to get a good newspaper release out on it about the first of September. We would prefer doing it then rather than now, as we feel it will be a more appropriate time, coming closer to the concert season and people will be thinking more about concerts than they are in this present hot weather.

CJV:H