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 305 Collections and/or Records:
Letter ( post script) to Sophie Weisse from Sir Donald Francis Tovey, c1922
Letter ( post script), [1922], Canstatt, Donald Tovey to Sophie Weisse. Description of a production of Salome and a Roger concert, and news of Swoboda. Holograph signed, post-script of L669.
Letter to Albert Schweitzer from Sir Donald Francis Tovey, 11 May 1934
Letter, 11 May 1934, Suffolk, Sir Donald Francis Tovey to Albert Schweitzer. Discussing plans for Schweitzer's Edinburgh Gifford lectures and concerts. Holograph signed, photocopy.
Letter to Albert Schweitzer from Sir Donald Francis Tovey, 28 October 1935
Letter, 28 October 1935, Edinburgh, Sir Donald Francis Tovey to Albert Schweitzer. Discussing plans for performing in Edinburgh with Schweitzer at the McEwen and Usher hall. Holograph signed, photocopy.
Letter to Clara Tovey from Helen Christian Sutherland, c 26 May 1930
Letter, 26 May [1930], London, Helen Sutherland to Clara Tovey. Praising Tovey's performance of Beethoven and Bach and praising Tovey's contribution to music. Holograph signed.
Letter to Clara Tovey from Thea Hunter, 04 March 1941
Letter, 4 March 1941, Edinburgh, Thea Hunter to Clara Tovey. Describing Tovey's absence at Concert series as a tragedy. Holograph signed.
Letter to D.F.A. Fox from Sir Donald Francis Tovey, 08 October 1938
Letter, 8 October 1938, Edinburgh, Sir Donald Francis Tovey to D.F.A. Fox. Praising Fox's performance. Ms. transcript.
Letter to Donald Tovey from Julius Rontgen, 15 December 1922
Letter, 15 December 1922, Julius Rontgen to Donald Tovey. Discussing fees and the cost of giving a concert both publically and privately. Holograph signed.
Letter to Donald Tovey from Julius Rontgen, 28 June 1925
Letter, 28 June 1925, Holland, Julius Rontgen to Donald Tovey. Discussing Tovey's role as judge in the Prix d' excellence, informing Tovey that Jan de Boer is keen to study with him and inviting Tovey to play in a concert. Holograph signed.
Letter to Donald Tovey from Julius Rontgen, 09 June 1927
Letter, 9 June 1927, Bilthoven, Julius Rontgen to Donald Tovey. Discussing plans to show a film in Germany and the United Kingdom. Holograph signed.
Letter to Donald Tovey from Julius Rontgen, 22 October 1927
Letter, 22 October 1927, Bilthoven, Julius Rontgen to Donald Tovey. Discussing plans for a concert in Edinburgh and praising Gershwin's ' Rhapsody in blue'. Holograph signed.