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 4 Collections and/or Records:
Letter to Dr Mary Gardner Grierson from Sophie Weisse, 10 November 1933
Letter, 10 November 1933, Edinburgh, Sophie Weisse to Mary Grierson. Praising an orchestral concert and Grierson's efforts in keeping the orchestra together and encouraging it and concern for Tovey. Holograph signed, with stamped envelope.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from F. V. Rushforth, 21 April 1936
Letter, 21 April 1936, Edinburgh, F. V. Rushforth to Donald Tovey. Covering note for photos of the Reid orchestra, congratulations on the performance and news of Rushforth's daughter in Munich. Holograph signed, with envelope containing two photo's of the Reid Orchestra and one of Donald Tovey.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from J. Douglas H. Dickson, 16 October 1937
Letter, 16 October 1937, Edinburgh, J. Douglas H. Dickson to Donald Tovey. Discussing the financial affairs of the Reid orchestra, including the Reid Orchestra endowment fund, and a discussion of Edinburgh and it's people. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Rosalind Maitland, c07 July 1922
Letter, 7 July 1922, Edinburgh, Rosalind Maitland to Donald Tovey. Details of the Reid Orchestra's guarantor's meeting, news of Adrian Boult's praise for Tovey's work and a meeting with Allt. Holograph signed.