Unknown Bartók Manuscript Discovered in Spain

Hungarian antiquarian bookseller Ádám Bősze recently uncovered a previously unrecognized manuscript by Béla Bartók, dated 1 October 1907. He obtained the piece at a Spanish auction, where it had been misclassified as merely an album page. This document, created by the 26-year-old composer, was a response to a musical inquiry from violinist Stefi Geyer, whom Bartók adored. At the top, he inscribed "Így ni!" ("Like this!"), followed by a brief composition labeled Adagio molto, with the directive con molto espressione, amoroso. Bősze regards it as a musical love letter. The manuscript features the "Stefi motif," significant to Bartók's First Violin Concerto, dedicated to Geyer. László Vikárius, director of the Bartók Archives in Budapest, confirmed its authenticity, deeming it vital to Hungary's cultural legacy. Bősze acquired the manuscript in 2024 but only revealed it this week on social media. This find enriches the documentation surrounding Bartók's relationship with Geyer, shedding light on the inspirations for his early major orchestral work.