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 Eda Levin from Sir Donald Francis Tovey, 02 November 1928
Letter, 2 November 1928, Edinburgh, Sir Donald Francis Tovey to Eda Levin. Offering advice for the formation of a choral society. Ms. transcript by Hubert Foss.
Letter to Mary Gardner Grierson from Sir Donald Francis Tovey, c1934
Letter, 1934, Czechoslovakia, Donald Tovey to Mary Grierson. Suggestions for organisation of a choir, and recommendations on what they should sing. Holograph signed.
Letter to Mary Gardner Grierson from Sir Donald Francis Tovey, c1936
Letter, [1936], London, Donald Tovey to Mary Grierson. Notes on the Reid choir and orchestra. Holograph signed.
Letter to Mary Gardner Grierson from Sir Donald Franics Tovey, c1900
Letter, [n.d], Donald Tovey to Mary Grierson. Suggestions for Reid choir. Holograph signed.
Letter to Mary Gardner Grierson from Sir Donald Franics Tovey, c1929
Letter, [1929], Donald Tovey to Mary Grierson. Concerning the establishment of a voluntary choir. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Frederick Septimus Kelly, 12 March 1909
Letter, 12 March 1909, London, F. S. Kelly to Donald Tovey. Inviting Tovey to stay, details of Kelly's activities, Kelly's wish to be as good as Borwick and Tovey, news of works by a Spanish composer, suggesting Tovey should give lessons, and of an amateur choir Kelly is conducting. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from H. Warner, 20 May 1937
Letter, 20 May 1937, Berlin, H. Warner to Donald Tovey. Thanking Tovey for his help in enabling the Berlin college of music singers to tour Scotland and England, inviting Tovey to a music festival in Berlin. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Mona Mann, 25 July 1925
Letter, 25 July 1925, London, Mona Mann to Donald Tovey. Informing Tovey that Mann and Lillian Barger would be pleased to sing for the Edinburgh choral union again and details of their current engagements. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from William Taylor, 28 May 1923
Letter, 28 May 1923, Edinburgh, William Taylor to Donald Tovey. Covering letter for a timetable of Birmingham University examinations, and news of The Edinburgh opera society. Holograph signed.
Letter to unknown from Sir Donald Francis Tovey, 10 May 1917
Letter, 10 May 1917, Edinburgh, Donald Tovey to unknown. The proposed continuation of the Kirkhope choir. Holograph signed photocopy.