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 9 Collections and/or Records:
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Julius Rontgen, 24 November 1927
Letter, 24 November 1927, Bilthoven, Julius Rontgen to Donald Tovey. Concerning the showing of a flm in Edinburgh as has been done in Universities in America. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Julius Rontgen, 16 October 1924
Letter, 16 October 1924, Bilthoven, Julius Rontgen to Donald Tovey. Concerning a radio broadcast of the ' Laughing Cavalier '. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Julius Rontgen, 04 October 1924
Letter, 4 October 1924, Bilthoven, Julius Rontgen to Donald Tovey. Asking Tovey's advice on touring the United Kingdom with Holland's string quartet and enquiring about concert dates in America. Holograph signed, Lula.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Julius Rontgen, 17 December 1929
Letter, 17 December 1929, Bilthoven, Julius Rontgen to Donald Tovey. Discussing plans for a concert programme of a concert being given in Edinburgh. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Julius Rontgen, 27 February 1930
Letter, 27 February 1930, Bilthoven, Julius Rontgen to Donald Tovey. Discussing Rontgen's plans to be present at Edinburgh Universities graduation ceremony. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Julius Rontgen, 12 April 1930
Letter, 12 April 1930, Bilthoven, Julius Rontgen to Donald Tovey. Inviting Tovey to perform in the Hague. 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.
Postcard to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Julius Rontgen, 08 November 1929
Postcard, 8 November 1929, Bilthoven, Julius Rontgen to Donald Tovey. Discussing a forthcoming concert in Edinburgh. Holograph signed.