Keywords: Bartok; American period; Life; create
China Library Classification Number: J603 Document Identification Number: A Document Number:1005-5312 (2012) 24-0057-02.
1933 65438+ 10, after the Nazi Party became the ruling party in Germany, the Hungarian rulers imitated the Nazi Party and formed a new organization in 1935, which was very similar to the Nazi Party. This situation was resisted by some anti-fascists in Hungary. In an early letter, Bartok wrote: I think what I did in Hungary was educated. Almost all Christians reject fascism. I really don't want to belong to this class? . Thus, Bartok is extremely resistant to the fascist class, and he has openly expressed his anti-fascist position. Under the influence of * * *, Bartok was forced to leave Hungary on 1940129 October, and began his difficult life journey in new york. 1945 died in the United States on September 26th. This is the last period of Bartok's life, which is called American period or exile years.
A letter from 1938 in April shows that Bartok has no intention of leaving Hungary. The letter reads:? If I move abroad at the age of 58, start all over again, survive in a new environment and accept some unpopular jobs to make a living, it will be very difficult and will cause me mental pain. If I do this, I will accomplish nothing, because I don't accept jobs I don't like. So should I stay in Hungary or escape from this place? My mother is still here. Can I leave her in the last years of her life? ? From this point of view, Bartok had to leave his motherland.
1939, when Bartok's mother was about to die, World War II broke out. Bartok had planned to hold a concert tour in the United States at the beginning of 1940 and then return to Hungary, but this idea did not come true. During this period, he just straightened out and adjusted his personal affairs. 1In August, 940, he gave a special concert in Budapest. 10 year 10 month, he and his wife left Budapest, crossed Australia, Switzerland, France and Spain, and boarded a ship to Lisbon. At the height of the war, they crossed Europe to America.
First of all, the early days of America
Bartok 1940 10 10 came to the United States on October 29th, and life was very difficult when he first arrived in the United States. This is not his first visit to America. As a piano player, he traveled all over the United States, from the east coast to Seattle on the west coast. He likes traveling and leads a full and beautiful life. Now he is forced into exile in the United States under political persecution, which is actually a fact that he does not want to accept.
A few days after they arrived, he and his wife were at the National Concert Hall and were invited to a friend's? Welcome party? Sonata for two pianos and percussion instruments. Three weeks later, they gave a special performance in the same concert hall. During his first month in the United States, Bartok was admired by the public in three important activities he participated in. 165438+1On October 25th, Bartok received his Ph.D. from Columbia University, a large authoritative and key university in the United States. At the commendation meeting, the president of the university mentioned that Bartok is different from other teachers and deans because his research results on folk music are recognized authorities; Moreover, the style of his music works is generally accepted, which has made important contributions to the music of19th century. A truly outstanding musician needs to be respected in his own country.
Compared with musicians of the same period, Bartok came to the United States in turbulent times and had little hope of survival. However, Bartok is at least guaranteed in income. Early in his arrival in America, Columbia University offered him a job. Although the salary of $3,000 a year is not much, it is enough to live at that time. At the same time, Bartok refused another well-paid job because he needed to participate in teaching, and Bartok refused to accept it. He thinks that works are not used for teaching, at least he thinks that he has no works to teach.
II. Work and research
Bartok was a visiting associate professor of music while working at Columbia University. 194 1 March, Bartok was giving a message to his friend zoltan? Kodaly wrote:? I am currently working in the gramophone archives of Columbia University. The equipment here is very advanced, and I am very satisfied with my present position. I can feel that if I continue to work in the former Hungarian Academy of Sciences, there will be no good development prospects. Life here makes me feel very comfortable. Whenever I cross the campus at night, I feel as if I have crossed the whole Europe. ? It can be seen that Bartok is very satisfied with this job at Columbia University.
Bartok's satisfaction with this job contains various reasons. First, during his work, he got a degree and was free to come and go as long as he liked, and he was free to receive additional lectures and concerts. Second, Bartok's sense of responsibility for his work is consistent with his personality. He never values money. He believes that his reward in Columbia University is obtained through hard work, not because of talent and fame.
In addition, he is strict with the job he likes and is willing to devote his life to it. In a letter to his son Bartok Jr., he wrote:? I was appointed because I could do some special research. In Colombia, I can learn and adapt Yugoslav folk music. This is the real reason why I like it here. In addition, there are many materials and some national music themes that Hungary lacks? .
Studying national music itself belongs to creation, which is Bartok's main goal in his life. From 1906, he began to collect folk music widely in remote villages in Hungary, Romania, Slovakia and even Africa. At first, he took notes with pen and paper. Later, with professional recording equipment, he collected tens of thousands of reliable folk music materials. He used scientific methods to classify the collected materials, and Bartok became an authoritative figure in the field of folk music research. When he reluctantly left Hungary, he didn't expect to find valuable materials and records of Yugoslav folk music in the New World. Therefore, this inspired his enthusiasm for work. During his stay in the United States, he spent most of his time studying folk music and made great contributions in this field.
Third, the troubles in life.
19411On February 7th, the American naval base in Pearl Harbor was attacked, and then the American war broke out. The outbreak of total war has brought all kinds of troubles and problems to people. Soon, the housing problem began to plague Bartok, and it was difficult for him to find a suitable residence in a short time.
During the American war, Bartok encountered such a situation, which seemed normal. From 1942, his situation became more and more difficult, and he gradually lost his courage and confidence in life. Finally, people felt that he was very sad. There are two reasons: first, the difficulties in life have caused him great trouble; Second, because of his own character, he refused the pity of others, which made him very helpless when he encountered difficulties.