[78-L] Bartok Sampler

[Michael Biel]

From: Malcolm Smith <malcolms at redshift.com>
> Interesting your mention of Koussevitsky. I had thought it was Bouzy 
> and Hawks (sorry for the spelling) who had commissioned the Concerto 
> for Orchestra.   Malcolm Smith.

One source shows that it was the Koussevitsky Foundation, another source
(Naxos) says:

> It was at this nadir of his life that two compatriots, violinist Josef Szigeti and conductor Fritz Reiner, seized upon the ideal vehicle for Bartók’s recovery, organising a commission for a major work for the Boston Symphony Orchestra. When its conductor Serge Koussevitzky arrived at the hospital with a substantial down-payment, the effect was astounding. Bartók immediately rallied, left for a retreat in upstate New York and within seven weeks had finished the piece, orchestrating the score that winter. <

Mike Biel  mbiel at mbiel.com