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 20 Collections and/or Records:
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Joaquim Pena, c1920
Letter, [n.d], Barcelona, Joaquim Pena to Donald Tovey. Thanking Tovey on the behalf of the ' Orquestra Pau Casals ' for offering to do two concerts. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Pablo Casals, 08 May 1925
Letter, 8 May 1925, Barcelona, Pablo Casals to Donald Tovey. Praising Tovey's written work, especially the preface, for piano, outlining forthcoming concerts in Barcelona and a hope that Casals may be able to play Tovey's concerto in the Autumn. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Pablo Casals, 02 January 1935
Letter, 2 January 1935, Barcelona, Pablo Casals to Donald Tovey. Dates of Casals arrival, request that a Bach concerto be performed. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Pablo Casals, 08 October 1933
Letter, 8 October 1933, Barcelona, Pablo Casals to Donald Tovey. Discussion of Tovey's concerto and the technique and effort required to master it. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Pablo Casals, 03 April 1933
Letter, 3 April 1933, Barcelona, Pablo Casals to Donald Tovey. Discussing another performance of Tovey's Cello Concerto, hoping to meet Tovey in the near future and discussing a visit to Edinburgh. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Pablo Casals, 18 February 1935
Letter, 18 February 1935, Barcelona, Pablo Casals to Donald Tovey. Suggesting Tovey should play a different Beethoven work at his recital. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Pablo Casals, c05 April 1935
Letter, 5 April [1935], Barcelona, Pablo Casals to Donald Tovey. Informing Tovey that a piano is unavailable for a rehearsal. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Pablo Casals, 15 March 1935
Letter, 15 March 1935, Barcelona, Pablo Casals to Donald Tovey. asking Tovey to send a corrected score to Casals and Arbos, the conductor, for the Madrid performance of Tovey's work on April 17. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Pablo Casals, 09 October 1935
Letter, 9 October 1935, Barcelona, Pablo Casals to Donald Tovey. Wishing Tovey well and a note of Casals trip to London. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Pablo Casals, 26 October 1936
Letter, 26 October 1936, Barcelona, Pablo Casals to Donald Tovey. Describing Casals annoyance at a cancelled performance. Holograph signed.