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 88 Collections and/or Records:
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Edward Ballantine, 08 January 1925
Letter, 8 January 1925, Massachusetts, Edward Ballantine to Donald Tovey. Thanking Tovey for sending analytical programme notes. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Ernest Walker, 15 October 1924
Letter, 15 October 1924, Oxford, Ernest Walker to Donald Tovey. Discussing a book on Schubert, and asking Tovey to consider Walker's work on Schubert. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Frederick Henry Evans, 12 February 1928
Letter, 12 February 1928, London, F. H. Evans to Donald Tovey. Praising Tovey's article on Schubert in 'The heritage of music', and other works. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Frederick S. Mackay, 27 March 1939
Letter, 27 March 1939, New York, Frederick S. Mackay to Donald Tovey. Discussion of a point , backed by evidence, influenced by Tovey's essay on the Prelude to act III of Jannhausen. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Fritz Busch, 08 September 1937
Letter, 8 September 1937, Denmark, Fritz Busch to Donald Tovey. Praising Tovey's editions of Beethoven's sonatas and Bach's piano works and musical analyses. Typescript signed.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Fritz Busch, 06 July 1925
Letter, 6 July 1925, Fritz Busch to Donald Tovey. Concerning Fritz Busch' performances and an article in Musikzeitschrift magazine, 1923. Typescript signed.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from H. A. Scott, 01 April 1925
Letter, 1 April 1925, London, H. A. Scott to Donald Tovey. Asking Tovey to reduce his article on Haydn and expressing pleasure that Tovey has agreed to do an article on Brahms. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from H. A. Scott, 17 December 1924
Letter, 17 December 1924, London, H. A. Scott to Donald Tovey. Asking Tovey when the Cyclopeadia may expect to have Tovey's article on Haydn, and apologising for making alternative arrangements for an author for the Brahms article. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Heinrich Swoboda, c1930
Letter, [n.d], Heinrich Swoboda to Donald Tovey. Informing that Swoboda has received Tovey's work on Bach and describing Swoboda's work for the theatre and music institutes. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Henry Havergal, c 25 February 1933
Letter, 25 February 1933, Edinburgh, Henry Havergal to Donald Tovey. Admitting Tovey's influence over Havergal's analysis. Holograph signed.