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 16 Collections and/or Records:
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Marga Denecke, 28 January 1923
Letter, 28 January 1923, Oxford, Marga Denecke to Donald Tovey. Details of lecture programme and arrival date in Edinburgh. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Mrs. A. E. Clapperton, c1930
Letter, [n.d], Renfrewshire, Mrs. A. E. Clapperton to Donald Tovey. Asking Tovey to give a lecture at Glasgow University. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Neville Stephen Bulwer-Lytton, 22 February 1907
Letter, 22 February 1907, London, Neville Lytton to Donald Tovey. Praising Tovey's lecture and expressing regret that the audience was not larger or more intelligent. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Sophie Weisse, c1920
Letter, [n.d], Surrey, Sophie Weisse to Donald Tovey. Transcript of a letter from ' The Royal Institution' requesting that Tovey deliver a series of lectures. Ms. Transcript, with added personal notes from Sophie Weisse.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Walter R. Spalding, 09 November 1925
Letter, 9 November 1925, Massachusetts, Walter R. Spalding to Donald Tovey. Thanking Tovey for giving a lecture at Harvard University and a note about Spaldings book on music appreciation. Typescript signed.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Walter Raymond Spalding, 20 October 1925
Letter, 20 October 1925, Massachusetts, Walter R. Spalding to Donald Tovey. Outlining arrangements for Tovey's lecture on Beethoven's ninth symphony at Harvard University. Typescript signed.