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 11 Collections and/or Records:
Letter to Donald Tovey from Julius Rontgen, 18 February 1904
Letter, 18 February 1904, Amsterdam, Julius Rontgen to Donald Tovey. Discussing Tovey's position as judge of the Prix d' excellence and enclosing composition work. Holograph signed.
Letter to Robert Bruce from Sir Donald Francis Tovey, 11 June 1939
Letter, 11 June 1939, Suffolk, Sir Donald Francis Tovey to Robert Bruce. Thanking Bruce for his ideas about Oxford. Typescript.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Helene and Albert Schweitzer, 30 April 1928
Letter, 30 April 1928, Amsterdam, Helene and Albert Schweitzer to Donald Tovey. Informing Tovey that Schweitzer will be unable to visit Scotland. 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 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, 16 May 1921
Letter, 16 May 1921, Amsterdam, Julius Rontgen to Donald Tovey. Offering Tovey an assesment of Mrs. Langdon, a pupil of Rontgen's and description of Rontgen's performances with the Busch quartet. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Robert Bruce, c07 July 1930
Letter, 7 June [n.y], Amsterdam, Robert Bruce to Donald Tovey. Details of Bruce's cello teacher and asking Tovey for advice in the continuation of Bruce's education. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Robert Bruce, 15 June 1939
Letter, 15 June 1939, Amsterdam, Robert Bruce to Donald Tovey. Request for Tovey to send a reference for Bruce to Professor Beveridge at Oxford University. Holograph signed.
Postcard to Donald Tovey from Julius Rontgen, 09 May 1924
Postcard, 9 May 1924, Amsterdam, Julius Rontgen to Donald Tovey. Asking Tovey to adjudicate an exam in Amsterdam and to select music for it. Holograph signed.
Postcard to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Johannes Rontgen, A. Adams and Robert Bruce, 28 October 1938
Postcard, 28 October 1938, Amsterdam, Johannes Rontgen, A. Adams and R. Bruce to Donald Tovey. Congratulating Tovey on a performance of the Reid orchestra. Holograph signed, on black and white postcard of an Amsterdam Street.