Pablo Massa ([log in to unmask]) wrote:

>Steve Schwartz:
>
>>Well, to check out how well Tovey understood other composers, check out
>>his writings on Brahms, Beethoven, Wagner, Bruckner, Schumann, Schubert,
>>Mozart, Haydn, etc., as well as his articles in Grove.
>
>Oh, Tovey was a fine critic, indeed.

And, apparently, possessed of a fearsome memory.  He could sit down at then
piano and play just about any piece anyone nominated - and from the place
the discussion concerned too.

According to Abram Chasins, when Enescu, a man of legendary memory, heard
Tovey's name "he just crossed himself".

Deryk Barker
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