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 John Herbert Foulds, 23 November 1930
Letter, 23 November 1930, London, John Foulds to Donald Tovey. Asking Tovey to look over Foulds new compositions. Holograph signed, with advertisement for 'Music today' by John Foulds, [2]p. 19 x 13cm, printed on light blue paper.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Julius Rontgen, 19 November 1916
Letter, 19 November 1916, Amsterdam, Julius Rontgen to Donald Tovey. Describing the concerts of the Busch brothers, and informing Tovey that Rontgen has written a sonata for Piano. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Julius Rontgen, 13 April 1921
Letter, 13 April 1921, Amsterdam, Julius Rontgen to Donald Tovey. Writing of his envy of J. P. E. von Stolzig, who is being taught by Tovey and discussing certain compositions. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Julius Rontgen, 29 April 1930
Letter, 29 April 1930, Julius Rontgen to Donald Tovey. Discussing Tovey's influence on the composer Jan de Boer, inviting Tovey to play at the Hague and memories of the Edinburgh festival. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Julius Rontgen, 27 August 1930
Letter, 27 August 1930, Bilthoven, Julius Rontgen to Donald Tovey. Plans for Rontgen's Edinburgh symphony and Reid concert. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Julius Rontgen, c1931
Letter, [1931], Bilthoven, Julius Rontgen to Donald Tovey. Discussing plans for concerts, Rontgen's composition work and Tovey's 'Ariadne'. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Julius Rontgen, 13 January 1932
Letter, 1932 Jun 13, Surrey, Julius Rontgen to Donald Tovey. Discussing an opera and compositions by Rontgen and inviting Tovey to stay. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Keith [Faeker], 06 March 1931
Letter, 6 March 1931, Edinburgh, Keith [Faeker] to Donald Tovey. Thanking Tovey for sending a note of encouragement before a performance and praising Tovey's arrangements. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Martin Allerman, 06 February 1925
Letter, 6 February 1925, Martin Allerman to Donald Tovey. Thanking Tovey for a correspondence and requesting that he set some words to music. Holograph signed, written on the back of typed words to ' Song of the Rhodian children', and ' Hail, hail to the swallow'.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Mary Herbert, c27 November 1934
Letter, 27 November 1934, Surrey , Mary Herbert to Donald Tovey. Praising a series of concerts, especially Casals performance of Toveys work. Holograph signed.