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 10 Collections and/or Records:
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from E. Dohnanyi - Salapes, 02 February 1935
Letter, 2 February 1935, Budapest, E. Dohnanyi-Salapes to Donald Tovey. Informing Tovey of the first performance of a work by Dohnanyi, asking Tovey for help with the translation and marketing of the work in the United Kingdom. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from E. Dohnanyi - Salapes, 02 February 1935
Letter, 2 February 1935, Budapest, E. Dohnanyi - Salapes to Donald Tovey. Plans for performances of a Russian and Hungarian ballet, directed by John Christie. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from E. Dohnanyi - Salapes, 20 February 1935
Letter, 20 February 1935, Budapest, E. Dohnanyi - Salapes to Donald Tovey. Congratulating Tovey on his knighthood and discussing Rambert and the ballet. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Elsa Dohnanyi-Salapes, 25 September 1923
Letter, 25 September 1923, Budapest, Elsa Dohnanyi - Salapes to Donald Tovey. Discussing plans for Dohnanyi to give a concert in Edinburgh. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Erno Dohnanyi, 11 November 1924
Letter, 11 November 1924, Budapest, Erno Dohnanyi to Donald Tovey. Thanking Tovey for arranging a performance with her husband and inviting Tovey to Budapest. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Ernõ Dohnányi, 03 August 1926
Letter, 3 August 1926, Budapest, Erno Dohnanyi to Donald Tovey. Asking Tovey to help get an article published, and discussion of the suggested concert programme. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Erno Dohnanyi, 13 November 1923
Letter, 13 November 1923, Budapest, Erno Dohnanyi to Donald Tovey. Discussing plans for a rehearsal with Tovey before an Edinburgh concert. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Erno Dohnanyi, 20 September 1932
Letter, 20 September 1932, Budapest, Erno Dohnanyi to Donald Tovey. Concerning Tovey's position as judge of the Franz Liszt competition in Hungary. Typescript signed.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Naìndor Fettich, 10 December 1933
Letter, 10 December 1933, Budapest, N. Fettich to Donald Tovey. Informing Tovey of the discovery in an old grave the discovery of a seventh or eighth century wind instrument that looks like a double flute. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sophie Weisse from Sir Donald Francis Tovey, c01 February 1912
Letter, [1 February 1912], [Budapest], Donald Tovey to Sophie Weisse. News of a concert in Budapest, and confusion over a Steinway and Bosenlofer piano. Holograph incomplete.