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 44 Collections and/or Records:
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Adolf Busch, 23 September 1932
Letter, 23 September 1932, London, Adolf Busch to Donald Tovey. Discussing Tovey's illness, Radio broadcasts and the death of Rontgen and Tovey's obituary for him. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Betty Balfour, 04 March 1937
Letter, 4 March 1937, Surrey, Betty Balfour to Donald Tovey. Details of the excitement of hearing Tovey's symphony on the ' wireless'. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from [Brown], 06 March 1924
Letter, 6 March 1924, Biggar, [Brown] to Donald Tovey. Praising Tovey's radio broadcast and memories of Tovey's visit to Hartree. Holograph incomplete.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from [Daniel Darly], 21 April 1932
Letter, 21 April 1932, County Down, [Daniel Darly] to Donald Tovey. Asking Tovey to articulate his reasons for leaving The Royal Society of Music, discussion on the campaign against foreign artists visiting the country, discussion of the dangers of music on the wireless. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Elizabeth Trevelyan, c 22 September 1934
Letter, 22 September [1934], Surrey, Elizabeth Trevelyan to Donald Tovey. Praising Tovey's first radio broadcast. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Franz Theodor Reizenstein, 03 April 1937
Letter, 3 April 1937, London, Franz Reizenstein to Donald Tovey. Discussing Tovey's article in 'The Listener', and discussion of broadcasts and publications concerning Hindemith. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Fritz Busch, 11 February 1936
Letter, 11 February 1936, Copenhagen, Fritz Busch to Donald Tovey. Expressing concern for Tovey's illness, requesting Tovey's ' Essays in musical analysis' news that Tovey's cello concerto is to be played in Copenhagen, and plans for Danish State Radio to broadcast music by Tovey. Typescript signed.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Fritz Busch, 06 July 1937
Letter, 6 July 1937, Fritz Busch to Donald Tovey. Discussing a radio broadcast of Tovey's cello concerto, and Buschs' tour. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from George Scott, 01 November 1934
Letter, 1 November 1934, Roxburghshire, George Scott to Donald Tovey. Praising a radio broadcast of Tovey's work, and reminiscing over his meeting with Tovey as a young boy. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Guy Marrimer, 10 October 1933
Letter, 10 October 1933, Sussex, Guy Marrimer to Donald Tovey. Praising the broadcast of Beethoven's Opus 2, No. 2 conducted by Tovey. Holograph signed.