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 9 Collections and/or Records:
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from E. Dohnanyi - Salapes, 02 February 1935
Letter, 2 February 1935, Budapest, E. Dohnanyi - Salapes to Donald Tovey. Plans for performances of a Russian and Hungarian ballet, directed by John Christie. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Edward Speyer, 13 January 1910
Letter, 13 January 1910, Hertfordshire, Edward Speyer to Donald Tovey. Outlining plans for two pupils of Miss Fullinger to play at a concert at the Bechstein Hall, asking Tovey to accompany them, news of the death of Rudolph von der Seyen. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Fritz Busch, 25 April 1934
Letter, 25 April 1934, Sussex, Fritz Busch to Donald Tovey. Discussing plans for a performance of the Busch quartet asking Tovey to suggest suitable musicians. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Fritz Busch, 12 January 1935
Letter, 12 January 1935, Copenhagen, Fritz Busch to Donald Tovey. Asking Tovey to suggest a Bach cantata to perform. Holograph signed, with two stamps.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from George Parker, 16 August 1922
Letter, 16 August 1922, Middlesex, George Parker to Donald Tovey. Informing Tovey that Parker is attempting to put on a performance of a Bach work, and wondering if there would be an opening for such a piece at the Reid Concerts. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Heinrich Swoboda, c1930
Letter, [n.d], Heinrich Swoboda to Donald Tovey. Discussing plans to pay Tovey and Szell for concert performances in Czechoslavakia, asking Tovey to bring the 'Euranthe' score. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Heinrich Swoboda, 13 February 1937
Letter, 13 February 1937, Heinrich Swoboda to Donald Tovey. Informing Tovey of a concert Swoboa is giving, asking about Casals and asking if Swoboda could play in Edinburgh in the forthcoming concert season. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Heinrich Swoboda, 06 December 1937
Letter, 6 December 1937, Prague, Heinrich Swoboda to Donald Tovey. Expressing delight at plans to give a concert in Edinburgh, plans to perform in Prague with Casals, and hopes to perform in London for Boult and the B. B. C. Holograph signed.
Letter to Sir Donald Francis Tovey from Sir James Steuart Wilson, c 01 March 1931
Letter, 1 March 1931, Edinburgh, Steuart Wilson to Donald Tovey. Description of rehearsals, and plans for performances. Holograph signed.