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 20 Collections and/or Records:
Letter to Dr Mary Gardner Grierson from Horg Grierson, 17 July 1952
Letter, 17 July 1952, Cambridge, Horg Grierson to Mary Grierson. Praising Grierson's biography of Tovey. Holograph signed, with stamped envelope.
Letter to Paul Adolf Hirsch from Hubert James Foss, 07 January 1942
Letter, 7 January 1942, Cambridge, Hubert Foss to Paul Hirsch. Describing a meeting with Tovey in Cambridge 1938, when Hirsch showed Tovey around his music library. Typescript signed.
Letter to Paul Adolf Hirsch from Hubert James Foss, 17 January 1942
Letter, 17 January 1942, Cambridge, Hubert Foss to Paul Hirsch. Information on a lecture given by Tovey at Cambridge on May 6 1938. Typescript signed.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from A. H. Mears, 09 March 1928
Letter, 9 March 1928, Cambridge, A. H. Mears. Suggesting the setting up of a complimentary council at the University of Edinburgh. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Alan Gray, 23 March 1923
Letter, 23 March 1923, Cambridge, Alan Gray to Donald Tovey. Answering an enquiry from Tovey concerning an elderly composer , H. H. S, and commenting on a report written by Tovey. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Cuthbert Morton Girdlestone, 30 April 1922
Letter, 30 April 1922, Cambridge, C. M Girdlestone to Donald Tovey. Request for a copy of Tovey's pamphlet on the 'Classical concerto'. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Edward Ballantine, 29 October 1925
Letter,29 October 1925, Massachusetts, Edward Ballantine to Donald Tovey. Expressing delight that Tovey is to come and speak at Harvard University and suggesting the subject of Beethoven's 9th symphony. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Edward Ballantine, 08 January 1925
Letter, 8 January 1925, Massachusetts, Edward Ballantine to Donald Tovey. Thanking Tovey for sending analytical programme notes. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Edward Joseph Dent, 08 February 1935
Letter, 8 February 1935, Cambridge, Edward Dent to Donald Tovey. Congratulating Tovey on his knighthood, criticism of Tovey's analyses, enquiry about Tovey's health. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Francis John Henry Jenkinson, 13 May 1921
Letter, 13 May 1921, Cambridge, Francis Jenkinson to Donald Tovey. Thanking Tovey. Holograph signed.