Showing 24 results

Northlands, Englefield Green, Surrey. - Asks Bessie if she can send back an enclosure; despairs as to how they can get D.F.T. [Donald Tovey] to get the symphony ready in time [for its British premiere]. Is now going to Edinburgh for a week, after an attack of influenza; Kate [Friskin] is playing the Schumann allegro and Beethoven G major concerto, with Donald conducting, on the 20th. The critic at the Hague is 'delightful'; is astonished any newspaperman could understand Donald so well; asks Bessie to translate it exactly for her. Her 'world is full of Belgians - two more, convalescent officers, arrived today'. Madame de Beughen will be in charge of them till she returns.

18 Buccleuch Place, Edinburgh. - Describes how, after a disturbed night with her 'poor patient here', she was disturbed at breakfast by Donald [Tovey] charging 'up the stair like a majestic King Elephant' saying he and the [Reid] Orchestra were 'rushing down' to the BBC House to hear a London broadcast of Donald's symphony. Describes the occasion: the orchestra all with their instruments as they had just started rehearsing, and their pleasure at hearing themselves, Donald 'sitting wrapt with his head thrown back, and Molly Grierson with every note of the score in her head'. At the end Donald got up and made a speech, looking 'as affectionately as if they were, regardless of chronology, his own children'.

18 Buccleuch Place, Edinburgh. - Thanks Bessie for a kind letter: she left Donald [Tovey] on the day of his death at quarter to one and he 'spoke those words' [see 8/133] to her 'quite clearly', but he may have become unconscious after that and when she returned around six he had died. Wonders whether Bessie went to Worplesdon for the burial of Donald's ashes; an old friend went and told her about it, but she herself had not heard it was to take place, yet Worplesdon is only about fifteen minutes drive from her house at Knaphill; wishes she had known. Has not been well recently, but has been working slowly on a project of turning most of this flat to a memorial: Molly Grierson says that there is nowhere for the students to do quiet work; would be happy to gift it to the university. Molly is 'overburdened in every way', especially family troubles. Some of Donald's old books are still here, such as his old "Missa Solemnis" over which she found him weeping [see 8/132] and from which he chose what was to be played and sung by Mona Benson. The memorial service in St Giles was very beautiful: old members of the Reid Orchestra came 'from far away places'; the 'whole University came in their magnificent robes'; Mollie conducted the orchestra in her red Doctor's robes, while she in hers 'crouched in a corner weeping'. Donald 'need not have died so soon... in such agony about his hands', if he had been left in London with Dr de Souza and not 'that damp place [Hedenham] where Lady Tovey and John [Wellcome Tovey] told him he was 'only lazy' [for not practising]. Dr de Souza had arranged somewhere safe for him to go in London if there was anxiety about the [Westminster] Hospital. Wonders whether Dr Blut [sic: Karl Bluth] is interned; very much 'admired and agreed with him as a doctor' and wishes she could help him. John has been sent suddenly somewhere in the South, for coastal defence: 'they have grown quite reckless with the lives of young men by the thousand'. Originally enclosing two poems by Professor [Oliffe Legh?] Richmond, which she thinks beautiful and like Donald. Her taxi driver today commented that she would be missing Donald and said 'We all thought there was nobody like him'; used to go on Sunday nights to hear him. Found herself 'sobbing on the man's arm'.

47 Lauriston Place, Edinburgh. - Is very sorry to think of 'Poor' Miss [Constance] Whishaw's orphanage [Sunnybank, Arnside] 'degenerating in that fashion'; it was at Christmas 1897 that she met her and Miss Cark [sic: Minna Karch?] at a hotel in Cap d'Antibes but she never saw them again; her aunt Jane [Anderson] is also upset at the news. Don is playing from an old edition of Cramer's studies. He has just been reading the full score of "Ariadne auf Naxos" by George [sic] Benda in an 'ancient book' he found in the class room library today; she is to tell Trevelyan that 'Benda's librettist's Ariadne is a very ordinary minx!'. The [Reid?] Orchestra has not started yet. Don has been busy writing his programme notes for his series of Beethoven recitals. Grettie kept him in bed and away from the class room on Monday and Tuesday because of a cold, but he is better now. The Reception at the Union went well: Sir Alfred and Lady Ewing are 'particularly unostentatious little people' and 'gave a homely air to the proceedings'; Professor Barlka sang to Don's accompaniment and 'tried hard' to follow his suggestions for improvement. She has indeed seen Don conduct, in the Mozart concerts: he 'looked perfectly splendid, and so purposelike'. Hopes Bessie's 'invalids' have recovered: colds are going around, Mrs [Christina] Niecks has been ill, and Grettie's sister Isabel is currently in bed ill. Bessie should tell Julian he needs to come and inspect 'the Waverley' himself, as she only saw half of it. Mr [Edward] Speyer has sent the Toveys 'the most beautiful little work of an Old Master' which they are charmed with.

47 Lauriston Place, Edinburgh. - Don agrees it is better that the Trevelyans should have the opera ["The Bride of Dionysus"]. When Miss Weisse put it in the bank she left out sixty-one leaves: Grettie deposited them and hopes they have been kept together under the same receipt; they may have altered it at Northlands before sending it. Don found the third act of the opera at 44 [George Square] so had not taken it to England at all. Thinks he is much better now he is 'not worried by letters & incidents of a galling nature'. [The Reid] orchestra is 'in full swing' after the difficulties of getting it started: about forty professionals and a few students rehearse for two hours on Tuesdays, and Don gives lectures on instrumentation to the students on Thursdays; he looks 'quite impressive towering above his orchestra'. Distressing that the Trades Union men are agitating against two of their number, of German descent but British citizens. The historical concerts are a great success: the audience for the Beethoven programmes is most appreciative. Don is very well, enjoying his social engagements. Grettie wishes they had a home, but knows they must be patient. Will go with Don to Aberdeen on the 20th when he lectures to the public and Teachers' Association at the Art Gallery there; Miss Weisse can keep track of Don's doings as the "Scotsman" always carries advertisements of them. Her father is well, with 'a regular gallery of pictures all about him' at his new house.

14 Napier Road, Edinburgh. - Apologises for not replying sooner; the month of concerts [by the Reid Orchestra] was 'a time apart'. The concerts were a great success, but in future they will be arranged for once a fortnight. The question of payment then became a concern, but the 'financial member of the [University] Court... a kind, interested friend' solved their problems and persuaded a private individual to pay the hundred pounds lacking; everything Mr Walker could do to relieve them was done cheerfully. Don's programmes, over which he took great trouble, sold well. They have not yet moved house; her aunt Maggie Anderson has invited them to stay at her house by the sea at Elie, which will provide beneficial rest, then they will organise the move. They do not expect to go south this summer, and have taken a house at Yetholm for September; her Aunt Jane will come with them. They all admire Robert Trevelyan's poem about Krishna; she and Don have also been reading 'Tom Sawyer' and 'Huckleberry Finn' aloud. Bessie has asked her to explain 'Sir Walter's "Dutchman"': she can only suggest that 'Dutchman' may be used to mean 'foreigner'. The Toveys went to Glasgow on Friday, as Don presided over the prize-giving at the Athenaeum school of music; Grettie describes the experience of being photographed at Lafayette's in the afternoon. Don is 'resuscitating' Kirkhope's Choir: a circular was originally enclosed with this letter. Hopes to be able to take up Bessie's kind invitation to come to the Shiffolds, and that they will also see the Trevelyans at 'The Wabe', as Don jokingly refers to the new house.

14 Napier Road, Edinburgh. The 'beautiful rug' from Bessie arrived soon after her letter of the 9th (Grettie organises their correspondence in a 'very businesslike way') and both Toveys are delighted with it; it will look even better in their new home which they will move into in April. His father-in-law [Hugh Cameron] is much better, and the 'new arrangements [the Turnbulls, see 6/165]... are a great success'. The [Reid] Orchestra is developing 'quite a decent style'; was introduced yesterday to 'the Organiser of the Amalgamated Trades Unions' and invited to become an honorary member, so can count on support. Sends love to 'the Poet and the Author of Blood Curdling Fairy Tales' [Bob and Julian].

2 St Margaret's Road, Edinburgh. - The Toveys are looking forward very much to Trevelyan's visit. Don will be able to meet him at Waverley Station, where they presume his train will arrive. Is sure he will enjoy hearing the [Reid] Orchestra on Tuesday morning and the Kirkhope Choir at night; hopes he can stay for a week so Don can take him around after his university work is done on Friday. Apologises for her delay in writing, due to domestic trouble at her father's house in her sisters' absence; their own house and belongings are unsettled as she cannot 'trot around' as she should wish to do; invites Trevelyan to 'fill in the blanks in imagination'.

2 St Margaret's Road, Edinburgh. - Apologises for not replying sooner due to 'burst pipes, awful cooks, & colds, toothache etc. etc.'. The concert yesterday [by the Reid Orchestra] was a great success, though Don was 'nearly crazy before the first one' as he only found out the first trumpeter had decided to perform at the pantomime two days before. Her father has been very ill and they have had two nurses, but he has now turned the corner. Hopes to write a proper letter soon.

2 St Margaret's Road, Edinburgh. - Sends best wishes to the Trevelyan for Christmas and the New Year. Expects Grettie will write soon; she is rather down at the moment, but they have 'worried through' this half of term successfully, thanks mainly to her sister-in-law Mrs Archibald who is staying with them. Wonders if Bessie could come to Edinburgh in the spring, as Grettie will not go on visits or do anything to take her mind off 'trivial worries'. The subjects of their trouble last summer have totally vanished, so were 'undoubtedly quite unreal'; he will know this in future, but her family will never understand: did not think that anyone so stupid and conceited could exist, but has to keep the peace as Grettie needs to forget her illness; she will outgrow this soon. IIs going to Manchester to show Sir Thomas Beecham the opera ["The Bride of Dionysus"]. The [Reid] orchestra is 'shaping quite well'; concerts will begin in February. Hopes 'conditions in the University will notably improve'.

On University of Edinburgh headed notepaper - A great pity that Johannes [Röntgen] is missing the only concert with a modern work he does not know, Bantock's "Sappho" [performed by the Reid Orchestra, March 4, 1920] 'which is worth six times the best of Mahler', and was the main reason Tovey did not advise the Röntgens to send Johannes to Aurog [?] for the rest of the spring. Will try to arrange lots of interesting private chamber music, and give him 'plenty of orchestral exercises on paper'. Thanks Julian for his letter; hopes he has recovered. 'Mr N.N.' [Nimble Niceman, pet name for John Wellcome Tovey] has whooping cough, and Grettie has rheumatism; Tovey is 'on strike for a 48-hour day as usual'. The local press criticise the public for not giving the Reid Orchestra better audiences, but should instead point out that attendance is double last year (though this still is not enough).

2 St Margaret's Road, Edinburgh. - The Toveys are sorry to hear of Julian's whooping cough, especially as it prevents her from coming: they wanted her to meet 'Mr Nimble Niceman' [John Wellcome Tovey]. They have got a room nearby for Johannes [Röntgen], and when he comes he and Tovey can 'hunt around for something more suitable'; hopes he and 'the Poet' [Bob Trevelyan] will arrive in time for the concert with the 'scene of Ariadne' [Ariadne's soliloquy from Act III of "The Bride of Dionysus', performed by the Reid Orchestra,12 February 1921].

Hotel Black Barony, Edleston, Peeblesshire. - Is very sorry to hear of Lord [Clifford] Allen's illness. Donald is about the same, but she cannot tell from Dr Thin whether he is still improving or is at a standstill. He is very busy composing, which makes up a little for being forced to do so little; is now allowed to go to Edinburgh once a week, so is going in for rehearsals on the weeks there are no Reid Concerts. They will return to Hedenham at the end of the month and spend a quiet summer there. Dr Thin and Professor Ritchie agree that Donald is not well enough to go to Budapest, as he wanted. The composing helps Donald to stay cheerful; she hopes it will go on and that he will come to care less about the other things. He finished scoring the first movement of his Cello Concerto yesterday, and seems very pleased; wishes she understood more about such things.

Northlands, Englefield Green, Surrey. - Asks if he could visit before Friday, when Mrs Weisse and his 'precious Nimble Niceman' [John Wellcome Tovey] come south. Had already written to Johannes Röntgen that he thought his 'prospects at Edinburgh very good', not because of anything he himself could do (will 'do lots', but cannot make it pay financially) but because of the friends Johannes has made there of his own accord. If he wins his counter-claim Grettie will 'get her freedom' in any case. Has to pay the costs of both sides. The case should come on at the end of this month or the beginning of June.

39, Royal Terrace, Edinburgh, 7. - Thinks she is a little better than in the summer, and has let 'so many things slide' that she is not busy at all. Misses Molly [Grierson?] very much, though Miss Morah [?] is 'most helpful and obliging'; Molly has not been to see them as she is busy at home, but they went to stay with her for two nights last week; good to see her looking 'very well and very interested in all her household & parish things'. Have heard nothing from [Edward] Renton; believes he is coming up to conduct [the Reid Concert] on 26 Jan, but that is a long way away. Does not know what to suggest: perhaps Bob could ask to see what he has done; Donald is 'so vague' it is hard to get definite opinions from him, although perhaps if Bob wrote he might reply with an opinion on what is to be done. Gathers from [Victor] Hely-Hutchinson that Rontgen is unlikely to get the South African job. Donald was glad of the news about Joachim Röntgen; as ever, he likes to have news of his friends.

Hedenham Lodge, Bungay, Suffolk. - Tovey's old friend Dr Heinrich Swoboda is in danger; he has recently been 'hoofed out of his post' as the equivalent of Adrian Boult at Radio Prague, and now he and his wife want to escape while there is time; he thinks of going to Buenos Aires. Swoboda conducted the first Sunday concert [of the Reid Orchestra] recently, just before he had 'warning of trouble'. Robert Mayer is organising a subscription to raise 250 pounds to get Swoboda and his wife across, though Swoboda does not know of this; the Toveys have put in 25 pounds; does not know how the fund is doing. Wonders if Bessie could invite Swoboda to the Shiffolds: he is 'just the kind of musician [they] all thoroughly enjoy', and though 'naturally depressed and nervous... very clear-headed... and very good company'.

39, Royal Terrace, Edinburgh, 7. - Has waited before seeing [Edward] Renton before answering Bessie's letter, and he was 'in Edinburgh a whole week and more before he came here'; believes that he was ill for part of the time, and had been ill in London; he does not look well. He has finished two acts of the Opera, 'words and translation written in'. Schotts wrote asking for a score recently 'as Adrian Bolt [sic] wanted to look at it'; the first two acts are with the BBC and Renton has started on the third act though Clara is not sure how much has been done. Is sorry not to have good news of Donald: he is very depressed, having been sick three times in forty-eight hours after a fortnight of relief. Dr Thin seemed to think him better yesterday, and advised him to do more, especially since Donald wishes to conduct part of the next Reid Concert; this morning therefore he went out for the first time in over eight weeks, for a half-hour drive, but was sick as soon as he got in. Does not know whether the doctors know what is the matter; all they have said to her is that due to bad circulation his 'digestive organs are not properly fit'; they assure her he is better but she finds it hard to believe. Well enough herself, but longs for 'a little heat and sun'. Renton did not show Donald any of his work; when Donald asked about the score he received the information above; she has not seen Renton alone and does not like to upset Donald by raising the question.

Edinburgh. - Very sorry to hear of the death of Bessie's sister [Abrahamina Röntgen]: hopes she was not long ill. Is still in Edinburgh, and expects to be for some time since there are soldiers in Hedenham Lodge. Nurse Monks is nursing for the Air Force; she wrote from Reading but expected to be moved. Clara misses her very much: has 'quite a nice young woman' to help her, but she is not nearly as good as Nurse Monks. Her brother is still with her, which she is glad of as she would not like him to be at Kew. John [Tovey] is 'very busy carting munitions': was in camp in Worcestershire, but has moved into billets for the winter. Molly Grierson is carrying on the work of the Chair of Music: wishes they would appoint her Professor, as it will not be easy to find someone 'so suited all round for both the degree work and the Orchestra'. Believes there is an intention to make no appointment until the end of the war, but hears Professor [Oliffe Legh?] Richmond is looking for someone and fears he will 'fix on some quite impossible person'; the Court are responsible for the appointment but she does not think the members knowledgeable about Music. Is sorry about Mrs [Florence] Barger; hopes her house is not 'damaged past repair'. Miss Weisse still in Edinburgh: supposes she thinks it safer than Knap Hill or prefers it. Molly Grierson has started Reid Concerts with 'what can be collected of the orchestra', fortnightly on Saturday afternoons; she is also continuing the Historical Concerts. Clara gets around very little as the wet weather does not suit her, and cannot think of travelling. Is glad Bessie's house is 'still whole', as many of her friends in the South 'seem to have no glass in their windows' which cannot be easy in this weather.

39, Royal Terrace, Edinburgh. - Is glad Trevelyan had a good time in Vienna. Donald would like to see him as soon as is convenient: he hopes to go to Dresden for a few days around February 20; will be back on the 24th. Got Trevelyan's letter enclosing the one from the [Edinburgh Opera] Company, after it had gone to New York and back despite being clearly marked 'Inghilterra'. Is very glad Bessie is well again. [Guilhermina] Suggia 'has put herself off again'; they hope she will be here for the 24 March concert; the programme arranged for then will be given on 11 February .

39, Royal Terrace, Edinburgh. - Donald quite agrees about the London performance of his opera ["The Bride of Dionysus", for which Trevelyan wrote the libretto], and was glad Trevelyan expressed himself 'so decidedly'. Donald has been in bed for the last fortnight, except when he conducted the Reid Concert on 24 March. Has been much better the last few days, and she hopes his doctor will let him go out tomorrow and they can leave at the end of the week; they hope to go and stay with the Duncan Toveys at Worplesdon. Trevelyan's ideas for doing Donald's music in London all sound very interesting; he must discuss it when he comes. They will be glad if he comes and stays until 24 April; Eydua Liddell is coming then and Clara has invited her as John [Tovey] will be at home, so they only have one spare room, but she hopes he will come anyway. As for press seats, last time [Sir Hugh?] Allen brought [Henry Cope?] Colles up; thinks he was the only London critic and that any other English papers used their 'men up here'. They look forward to seeing Bessie when she is up. Donald is to conduct on Monday, Friday and Saturday. A postscript adds that Donald thinks it best to sent tickets for the critics 'without writing'; he particularly does not want Colles to come so perhaps it would be best to leave the "Times" alone, or to say that Colles was not wanted.

The Shiffolds. - Now back from Edinburgh, where he 'spent a few very interesting days staying with the Professor of Chemistry, [George] Barger, who is half Dutch, an old Cambridge man'. The Toveys do not have enough room in their house for guests, but Robert 'saw plenty of them, which was a great pleasure'. The concert went well: the [Reid] Orchestra is said to have 'played better than it has ever done, and the orchestra seemed to enjoy the extract from the opera [The Bride of Dionysus, and recalled Tovey several times']. If [Thomas] Beecham 'had not gone bankrupt, he would probably have produced the opera this year'; instead they will 'have to wait, for operas are expensive things'.

On returning home, found Julian's [whooping] cough much better; he is 'thin, and gets tired easily' but generally 'fairly well and cheerful'. Robert reads history, poetry, and the Bible with him; they 'don't read the bible at his school, so it is as well he should at home, and he certainly enjoys it a great deal', though Robert sees 'no signs as yet of his having a religious turn of mind'. Bessie is reading [Kipling's] Captains Courageous to Julian, who 'likes it very much'.

Robert will go to Cambridge next month to see the Oresteia performed [in J. T. Sheppard's Greek production; Robert's translation was available for the audience]. A letter from Robert's father to Julian came today; Julian will open it tomorrow on his birthday.

University of Edinburgh headed notepaper. - Thanks Trevelyan. There is no hurry, and he does not want Miss Weisse to be pressed at all now he knows 'there's nothing queer in the wind': was just worried as 'things had been so queer last year, but it all seems perfectly safe & reasonable' and he would prefer nothing more to be said to Miss Weisse.

The concerts are going well: the [Reid] Orchestra is improving, and the Kirkhope Choir performed what he thinks are 'the four most difficult & original' and beautiful English madrigals [by Thomas Weelkes] excellently at yesterday's concert [on 2 February]. The public received them politely, but they reacted very enthusiastically to the Brahms alto Rhapsodie, which was performed by Miss [Helen] Anderton, Miss Fillunger's pupil, whom Trevelyan might remember.

University of Edinburgh. - Sends Homer, Bradbury and Crusius. Term begins next Tuesday. Is getting on with the vocal score of Act II [of "The Bride of Dionysus"], working from and correcting the copy of the full score. Miss Busch has been; he thinks they have the [German] translation quite right now. The [Reid] Orchestra is guaranteed for the next three years, and he has organised a consultative committee 'to regulate its interior economy'; expects it to be 'six times as good as last year'. Grettie has been 'over-exerting herself'; is going to the country 'for rest & feeding-up', but he feels that though depressed she is 'more completely herself' than he expected her to be for months; thinks she is in 'a chastened mood', an 'awakening to health & common-sense' rather than the 'dismal dumps' and he is much encouraged.

Jokes that Mr Jupp [Walter Watt Jupp, leader of the orchestra?] ought to have addressed the orchestra: 'Children - Good children!'. It is an asset to the reputation of the orchestra that other conductors have enjoyed working with them; knows that they will uphold this reputation in their work with David Stephen [for the concert on February 2, 1930] whose orchestral compositions Tovey has 'long admired' and who is both enthusiastic as the success of the orchestra's work and capable of ensuring it. Tovey's voice is recovering, and he should be able to use it by the next rehearsal.