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 14 Collections and/or Records:
Letter to Edward Speyer from Sir Donald Francis Tovey, 26 September 1900
Letter, 26 September 1900, Surrey, Sir Donald Francis Tovey to Edward Speyer . Thanking Speyer for sending Tovey a notice and form. Holograph signed, L139 - L142 sewn together.
Letter to Mrs Rollo Russell from Sir Donald Francis Tovey, c1900
Letter, [n.d], Surrey, Sir Donald Francis Tovey to Mrs. Rollo Russell. Covering note for a Hymn - tune written by Tovey. Typescript copy.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from [Constines], c11 November 1924
Letter, 11 November 1924, Surrey, [Constines] to Donald Tovey. News of Tovey's friends at Worplesdon. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Unknown, 04 November 1923
Letter, 4 November 1923, Surrey, Unknown to Donald Tovey. News of an illness, causing paralysis of a young boy known to Tovey. Holograph incomplete.
Letter to Sophie Weisse from Sir Donald Francis Tovey, c1894
Letter, [n.d], Worplesdon, Donald Tovey to Sophie Weisse. Describing Parry's view of Tovey's composition, and the revisions Tovey must make. Photocopy of Holograph signed.
Letter to Sophie Weisse from Sir Donald Francis Tovey, 17 July 1893
Letter, 17 July 1893, Surrey, Donald Tovey to Sophie Weisse. Notifying Miss. Weisse of Tovey's time of arrival. Photocopy of Holograph signed.
Letter to Sophie Weisse from Sir Donald Francis Tovey, 02 January 1898
Letter, 2 January 1898, Surrey, Donald Tovey to Sophie Weisse. Covering note. Typescript copy.
Letter to Sophie Weisse from Sir Donald Francis Tovey, 25 December 1898
Letter, 25 December 1898, Surrey, Donald Tovey to Sophie Weisse. Wishing Miss. Weisse a Happy Christmas. Typescript copy.
Letter to Sophie Weisse from Sir Donald Francis Tovey, c1901
Letter, [1901], Surrey, Donald Tovey to Sophie Weisse. News of Tovey's mother, a concerto and Tovey's consultation of Gevaerts, 'Cours Methodique'. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sophie Weisse from Sir Donald Francis Tovey, 15 July 1902
Letter, 15 July 1902, Surrey, Donald Tovey to Sophie Weisse. List of works Tovey has sent to Mr. Shipley and Mr. Such. Typescript copy.