The British Broadcasting Corporation, Broadcasting House, London, W.1. - Thanks Mrs Trevelyan for her letter: interesting she should raise this point, as he wondered whether Voorsanger was a 'good person to put in that place' when looking through th eprogrammes. They do try very carefully to 'choose an appropriate alternative artist on these occasions', but do sometimes 'go wrong'.
The White Gates, Westcott Road, Dorking. - Good of Bessy to write; values her opinion 'very much (not only when favourable!'. Got to like [his 4th Symphony] himself by the end; the 'first rehearsal was unimaginable chaos' but the orchestra and Adrian [Boult] 'worked like Trojans'. Glad that Bessy is well enough to go home tomorrow, and hopes she is 'really better'; she must have had a 'trying time'
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.
39, Royal Terrace, Edinburgh, 7. - Donald very glad to have news of Mr [Willi?] Strecker, though she fears they will not be able to meet. He had a card this morning from [Pablo] Casals which said he was going to play Donald's concerto in London on 14 November, with Boult conducting; supposes that it will be broadcast at least, if not recorded. Hopes Trevelyan will stay with them when he comes to Edinburgh in February, and if he comes north in November. Donald is keeping fairly well but doing 'a great deal' which always makes her 'rather anxious'.
Felt close to PS when he went to an all Brahms concert conducted by [Adrian] Boult and heard Isaac Stern; hears that Judy [?] has married, wished he had passed that on; has made a friend who was wondering whether to become a rabbi or a minister and was studying philosophy of religion and is now just studying philosophy; hasn't heard from Dave [Calhoun], didn't go to his wedding; is getting along very well with Frances [Whyte]; is distressed to hear that PS has given up analysis, thinks he needs to find another analyst he likes better; hasn't taken another piano lesson; rest of his time is spent studying French and German for the PhD.
39, Royal Terrace, Edinburgh, 7. - Is glad that Trevelyan has seen someone at the B.B.C. about 'this disgraceful jiggery-pokery as to [Tovey's] concerts'. Wrote to [Adrian] Boult at once, assuming that he was not to blame; Trevelyan's letter enabled him to write again 'in still friendlier terms', saying that his concerto would be much easier than anything else Boult could do with [Pablo] Casals. The 'pretext of difficulty in rehearsing is only a damned lie' as any musician who knows Casals and Tovey's scoring would see, but 'illness covers all' and Tovey cannot suppose he would do any better in Boult's circumstances. Trevelyan will have heard from Edward Renton, whom Tovey is paying a hundred pounds towards 'his prospective adventures in Russia' for producing a copy of the full score of "The Bride of Dionysus", with both German and English text. Renton has been useful to Fritz Busch, and his Edinburgh University scholarships have now run out; Tovey will be grateful for any kindness Trevelyan can show him.