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 200 Collections and/or Records:
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Pablo Casals, 27 December 1934
Letter, 27 December 1934, Pablo Casals to Donald Tovey. Discussing a performance of Tovey's cello concerto in Barcelona and suggesting a date for a Beethoven recital by Tovey. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Pablo Casals, 20 November 1935
Letter, 20 November 1935, London, Pablo Casals to Donald Tovey. Describing Tovey of the pleasure Casals got from performing Tovey's concerto in London, reassuring Tovey. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Pablo Casals, 26 April 1936
Letter, 26 April 1936, Pablo Casals to Donald Tovey. Discussing a change to a score. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Paul Wittgenstein, 22 January 1929
Letter, 22 January 1929, Paul Wittgenstein to Donald Tovey. Suggesting that Tovey writes a work for Wittgenstein, perhaps ' Variations on a classical theme'. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Paul Wittgenstein, 14 January 1935
Letter, 14 January 1935, Paul Wittgenstein to Donald Tovey. Thanking Tovey for sending some of his publications, comments on the new Schmidt concerto. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Paul Wittgenstein, c1920
Letter, [n.d], Salzburg, Paul Wittgenstein to Donald Tovey. Discussing Grierson's visit, and enclosing some composition work for Tovey to comment upon. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Percival Robson Kirby, 08 February 1939
Letter, 8 February 1939, Johannesburg, P. Kirby to Donald Tovey. Giving details of a ms. of a transcription of Haydn's works. Typescript signed.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Robert Finnie McEwen, c1930
Letter, [n.d], Berwickshire, Robert Finnie McEwen to Donald Tovey. Discussion of Tovey's composition and performances. Holograph, incomplete, no order, may be several letters.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Rodolphi Soiroy, c1920
Letter, [n.d], Edinburgh, Rodolphi Soiroy to Donald Tovey. Praising Tovey's quartet, and reminding Tovey of a meeting. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Sir Adrian Cedric Boult, 03 November 1936
Letter, 3 November 1936, London, Adrian Boult to Donald Tovey. Explaining why Tovey's concerto with Casals is not being broadcast by the B.B.C. Holograph signed, written on British Broadcasting Company headed paper.