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 237 Collections and/or Records:
Letter to Annie Friedberg from Sir Donald Francis Tovey, 08 January 1925
Letter, 8 January 1925, New York, Donald Tovey to Annie Friedberg. Requesting that Tovey send material that can be used to publicise his American concerts. Typescript incomplete.
Letter to Annie Friedberg from Sir Donald Francis Tovey, 02 February 1925
Letter, 2 February 1925, Edinburgh, Sir Donald Francis Tovey to Annie Friedberg. Arrangement for U.S concerts. Ms. transcript.
Letter to Donald Tovey from Julius Rontgen, 28 January 1923
Letter, 28 January 1923, Julius Rontgen to Donald Tovey. Discussing a concert programme. Holograph signed.
Letter to Donald Tovey from Pablo Casals, 27 December 1933
Letter, 27 December 1933, Barcelona, Pablo Casals to Donald Tovey. Discussion of possible date and orchestra for the performance of Tovey's cello concerto. Holograph signed.
Letter to Donald Tovey from Pablo Casals, 03 June 1934
Letter, 3 June 1934, Barcelona, Pablo Casals to Donald Tovey. Arranging a date for Casals to play in concert at Edinburgh. Holograph signed.
Letter to Donald Tovey from Pablo Casals, 12 June 1934
Letter, 12 June 1934, Pablo Casals to Donald Tovey. Thanking Tovey for encouragement, describing a Haydn concert, and an important day in Casals life. Holograph signed.
Letter to Donald Tovey from Pablo Casals, 27 October 1934
Letter, 14 October 1934, Barcelona, Pablo Casals to Donald Tovey. Arranging a concert date. Holograph signed.
Letter to Dr Mary Gardiner Grierson from Bronislaw Hubermann, 07 July 1924
Letter, 2 July 1924, Badgestein, Bronislaw Hubermann to Mary Grierson. Explaining that Huberman is to busy to play with Tovey this season, but would like to do so in the future. Holograph signed.
Letter to Dr Mary Gardner Grierson from Dame Ethel Mary Smythe, 14 June 1930
Letter, 14 June 1930, Woking, Ethel Smythe to Mary Grierson. Attempting to arrange a suitable date to perform a work called ' The Prison', . Holograph signed.
Letter to Dr Mary Gardner Grierson from Fanny Davies, 09 October 1924
Letter, 9 October 1924, London, Fanny Davies to Mary Grierson. Informing Grierson that Davies has sent of a Mozart mss. to Edinburgh, asking about the venue of a forthcoming concert. Holograph signed.