Tovey, Sir Donald Francis, 1875-1940 (Reid Professor of Music, University of Edinburgh)
Dates
- Existence: 1875 - 1940
Biography
Donald Francis Tovey was born at Eton on 17 July 1875. His father was an Assistant Master at Eton College. He was educated privately by the music and general teacher Miss Sophie Weisse (1851-1945) and later on studied under Sir Walter Parratt (1841-1924) and Sir C. H. Parry (1848-1918). Tovey then won a music scholarship to Balliol College, Oxford, graduating with a BA, Classical honours, in 1898. As a pianist, a series of chamber music concerts followed in London, Berlin and Vienna where he played with Halle, Joachim, Hausmann, Casals, and other artists. He also composed. In 1914 he was appointed to the Reid Chair of Music at Edinburgh University in succession to Professor Niecks (1845-1924). As Professor he broadened the music curriculum by instituting classes in musical interpretation, orchestration, history and analysis, thorough-bass, score reading, and advanced counter-point and composition. Tovey also established and conducted the Reid Orchestra and organised an annual series of concerts. His musical compositions were in many forms including chamber music, symphony, grand opera and concerto, and probably the most famous was his opera The bride of Dionysus produced in Edinburgh in 1929. His literary publications include the six volumes of Essays in musical analysis (1935-1939), and A musician talks (1941). Tovey was knighted in 1935. Sir Donald Francis Tovey died on 10 July 1940.
Found in 36 Collections and/or Records:
Letter to Edward Speyer from Sir Donald Francis Tovey, c1906
Letter, [1906], Surrey, Donald Tovey to Edward Speyer. Concerning Mr Fuller Mainlands attack in the Times, on the Brahms Liebslieder performance. Holograph signed, with pencil annotation by Miss. Weisse.
Letter to Edward Speyer from Sir Donald Francis Tovey, c1911
Letter, [1911], Surrey, Donald Tovey to Edward Speyer. Description and evaluation of unnamed singer. Holograph signed, L177 - L185 sewn together.
Letter to Edward Speyer from Sophie Weisse, c1920
Letter, [1911], Sophie Weisse to Edward Speyer. Condemning the classical concert series and Tovey's part in their organisation. Typescript copy.
Letter to Robert Calverley Trevelyan from Emanuel Christian Hedmonth, 09 April 1929
Letter, 9 April 1929, Edinburgh, C. E. Hedmonth to Robert Trevelyan. Criticising the music Tovey has written for the Opera, suggesting Tovey needs a good conductor. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Earl of Moray, 21 March 1926
Letter, 21 March 1926, Perth, Earl of Moray to Donald Tovey. Discussion, praise and criticism of Reid concerts including Bach's cantatas. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Edward Speyer, 27 November 1906
Letter, 27 November 1906, Hertfordshire, Edward Speyer to Donald Tovey. Refuting criticism in ' The Times', that Tovey's ensemble gave a bad performance of the Leibslieder waltzes. Typescript signed.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Frank Thomas Arnold, 11 September 1932
Letter, 11 September 1932, Bath, F. T Arnold to Donald Tovey. Discussion of figured base in a particular piece, Arnold responding to Tovey's criticism. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from G. Happe, 15 April 1923
Letter, 15 April 1923, Dresden, G. Happe to Donald Tovey requesting that Tovey pay an outstanding debt for Happe's symphony in D. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Guilhermina Suggia, 08 January 1935
Letter, 8 January 1935, ' The Highland Chieftan', Guilhermina Suggia to Donald Tovey. Congratulating Tovey, and informing Tovey of the praise Suggia has heard for his cello concerto. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Haydn Brown, 07 October 1924
Letter, 7 October 1924, London, Haydn Brown to Donald Tovey. Thanking Tovey for sending two volumes of Bach's works and Tovey's introductory notes, patriotic comments about England. Holograph signed.