Tours, Berthold

1838-1897

Violinist and musical writer; born at Rotterdam; received his earliest instruction from his father, who was organist of St. Lawrence Church, then from Verhulst. After studying at the Brussels and Leipsic Conservatories he joined prince George Galitzin's quartet in 1858 and went to St. Petersburg, then to Moscow and Katzlow. He was two years in Russia, and in 1861 he went to London, where he became first violin at Covent Garden, and in 1878 editor for Messrs. Novello, Ewer and Company, arranging for them Beethoven's mass in C, Gounod's Redemption, four of Schubert's masses, Elijah and other important compositions from the score, and writing a Primer for the Violin for a series published by that firm. He has composed some anthems, hymn tunes and services.