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 Gerald Warre Cornish, 06 November 1909
Letter, 6 November 1909, Russia, Gerald Warre Cornish to Donald Tovey. Asking Tovey to set a nonsense poem to music. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Gerald Warre Cornish, 31 January 1939
Letter, 31 January 1939, London, Gerald Warre Cornish to Donald Tovey. Congratulating Tovey on his new quartet and offering condolences after he death of Tovey's mother. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Gerard von Brucken Fock, 16 April 1934
Letter, 16 April 1934, Holland, Brucken Fock to Donald Tovey. Request that Tovey perform Brucken Fock's suite. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Gustav Holst, 20 September 1923
Letter, 20 September 1923, London, Gustav Holst to Donald Tovey. Details of a German translation of Holst's 'Hymn of Jesus' by Lauckner, and the problems of publication, and invitation to dine with Holst. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Jelly d' Aranyi, c1930
Letter, [n.d], London, Jelly d' Aranyi to Donald Tovey. Discussing composition, news of Adila and Alix Fachiri. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Johannes and Julia Rontgen, 26 August 1932
Letter, 26 August 1932, Northumberland, Johannes and Julia Rontgen to Donald Tovey. Concern over Tovey's health, news of composition work and of performing the compositions. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Johannes and Julia Rontgen, 06 August 1936
Letter, 6 August 1936, Holland, Johannes and Julia Rontgen to Donald Tovey. News of journey to Holland, of Nicholas Roth's knowledge of Tovey's Haydn trio's, congratulating Tovey on the fine melody and beautiful harmony he has made of the Newman Hymn. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Johannes Rontgen, 24 October 1907
Letter, 24 October 1907, Amsterdam, Johannes Rontgen to Donald Tovey. Discussing forthcoming concerts and a Brahms festival, describing compositions Rontgen has written for violin and flute. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from John Buchan, 26 June 1934
Letter, 26 June 1934, Oxford, John Buchan To Donald Tovey. Informing Tovey that Buchan would like to collaborate with Tovey over ' The Rose and the Ring ', but does not have time at present. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from John Herbert Foulds, 29 September 1916
Letter, 29 September 1916, London, J. H. Foulds to Donald Tovey. Thanking Tovey for sending Foulds compositions to Rontgen and covering note for the compositions. Holograph signed.