Item 194 - Letter from Donald Tovey to R. C. Trevelyan and Elizabeth Trevelyan

1 item

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'.

The date seems to read '1928', but the letter definitely dates from 1938: see also 7/199.