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 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 Dr Mary Gardner Grierson from Sir Donald Francis Tovey, cApril 1934
Letter, [April 1934], Barcelona, Donald Tovey to Mary Grierson. Request to send prospectuses and programmes to Lord Balfour and Miss. Balfour. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Joaquim Pena, c1920
Letter, [n.d], Barcelona, Joaquim Pena to Donald Tovey. Thanking Tovey on the behalf of the ' Orquestra Pau Casals ' for offering to do two concerts. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Pablo Casals, 08 May 1925
Letter, 8 May 1925, Barcelona, Pablo Casals to Donald Tovey. Praising Tovey's written work, especially the preface, for piano, outlining forthcoming concerts in Barcelona and a hope that Casals may be able to play Tovey's concerto in the Autumn. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Pablo Casals, 02 January 1935
Letter, 2 January 1935, Barcelona, Pablo Casals to Donald Tovey. Dates of Casals arrival, request that a Bach concerto be performed. Holograph signed.