Berthold Tours
1838 - 1897
Biography
Berthold Tours (1838–1897) was a Dutch-born violinist, organist, composer, editor, and arranger who spent most of his professional career in London. Born in Rotterdam, he received his earliest musical instruction from his father, an organist, and continued his training in Leipzig and Brussels. After further study and work in Russia, he settled permanently in London in the early 1860s.
Tours became organist of the Swiss Church in Holborn in 1862 and later worked for the music publisher Novello. From 1878 he served there as an editor and arranger in addition to composing. His output included anthems, liturgical service music, hymn tunes, and arrangements of larger vocal and instrumental works.
Hymnological indexes document his tune DEVENTER as one of the settings used with "Ring Out, Wild Bells." Tours's better-known congregational work also includes the tune TOURS, published in The Hymnary in 1872.
Tours became organist of the Swiss Church in Holborn in 1862 and later worked for the music publisher Novello. From 1878 he served there as an editor and arranger in addition to composing. His output included anthems, liturgical service music, hymn tunes, and arrangements of larger vocal and instrumental works.
Hymnological indexes document his tune DEVENTER as one of the settings used with "Ring Out, Wild Bells." Tours's better-known congregational work also includes the tune TOURS, published in The Hymnary in 1872.
Hymns by Berthold Tours
Ring Out, Wild Bells
Role: Composer
When, His Salvation Bringing
Role: Composer