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 25 Collections and/or Records:
Letter to Sophie Weisse from Sir Donald Francis Tovey, 17 November 1897
Letter, 17 November 1897, Oxford, Donald Tovey to Sophie Weisse. Arranging a suitable time for Miss. Weisse to visit Balliol, details of the Oxford musical club. Holograph signed, with duplicate typescript copy, [3]p. 26 x 20cm .
Letter to Sophie Weisse from Sir Donald Francis Tovey, 07 October 1898
Letter, 7 October 1898, Biggar, Donald Tovey to Sophie Weisse. Asking if Miss. Weisse knows of anything to prevent Tovey playing at the Oxford University Music club, and describing his practise. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sophie Weisse from Sir Donald Francis Tovey, 07 October 1898
Letter, 7 October 1898, Biggar, Donald Tovey to Sophie Weisse. Asking if Miss. Weisse knows of anything to prevent Tovey playing at the Oxford University Music club, and describing his practise. Typescript copy of L508.
Letter to Sophie Weisse from Sir Donald Francis Tovey, c1922
Letter, [1922], Donald Tovey to Sophie Weisse . News that the University has agreed to Tovey's Sunday concerts and of the University musical society and the Reid Orchestra, criticism of an article by A. C. Benson, Necks illness. Holograph signed.
Letter to Unknown from Rev David Bruce Nicol, 08 November 1920
Letter, 8 November 1920, Edinburgh, D. Bruce Nicol to Unknown. Requesting that the recipient introduce Bruce Nicol to Tovey to advise on plans to start a musical association. Holograph signed.