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 6 Collections and/or Records:
Letter to 'a Professor' from Sir Hugh Percy Allen, c 04 January 1940
Letter, 4 January [n.y], Chichester, Hugh Allen to 'a Professor'. Inviting the recipient to join the committee of the Tovey memorial fund. Holograph signed.
Letter to 'a Professor ' from Sir Hugh Percy Allen, 17 January 1943
Letter, 17 January 1943, Oxford, Hugh Allen to ' a Professor '. Regret that the recipient will not join the Tovey memorial committee, and a discussion of Tovey's written works. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from A. Corbett-Smith, 30 December 1921
Letter, 30 December 1921, London, A. Corbett-Smith to Donald Tovey. Plans for the creation of a national opera, and a request that Tovey represent Edinburgh in meetings. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Edward Speyer, 19 December 1910
Letter, 19 December 1910, Hertfordshire, Edward Speyer to Donald Tovey. Suggesting Lord Plymouth stand in place of Douglas Freshfield on the committee of the classical concert society, and a listing of the executive committee. Typescript signed.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Edward Speyer, 18 July 1911
Letter, 18 July 1911, Hertfordshire, Edward Speyer to Donald Tovey. News that Lord Plymouth will join the Committee of the Classical Concert Society, requesting a final decision on a Bach concert programme. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sophie Weisse from Hugh Godley, 14 February 1914
Letter, 14 February 1921, London, Hugh Godley to Sophie Weisse. Expressing delight that Tovey will stand for a certain position and asking for a list of Tovey's literary works. Holograph signed.